The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Merle Wakefield.  If you live in the East County, the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has recommended the placement of Merle Wakefield at 10957 Horizon Hills Drive in Unincorporated El Cajon.  He was convicted of sexual assaults dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.

While this address falls within the jurisdiction of the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station, NEITHER THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR THE SEXUAL ASSAULT FELONY ENFORCEMENT (SAFE) TASK FORCE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED SITE.  THAT SELECTION PROCESS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DSH AND THE SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT.

Due to current COVID-19 health concerns, a placement hearing for Merle Wakefield will be held via ZOOM.  Comments will be accepted during this hearing on:

May 10, 2021
9:00 a.m.
San Diego Superior Court
Virtually (Department 2001)
San Diego, CA 92101
Via ZOOM (Phone or Computer)

Computer Link: https://sd1502.zoom.us/j/89983572692
Webinar ID: 899 8357 2692
One tap mobile: +14086380968,,899 835 72692# US or +16699006833,,89983572692# US
Telephone number: +1408 638 0968 or +1 699 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782or +1 346 248 7799 or +1312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592

With the hearing scheduled for May 10, 2021, the SAFE Task Force will be accepting public comments about the proposed placement of Merle Wakefield to be included in the formal response to the court.

You can e-mail your comments to: sdsafe@sdsheriff.org.  You can call (858) 495-3619.  You can mail your comments to:

SVP Release/SAFE Task Force
9425 Chesapeake Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

Public comments will be accepted between April 12 and April 28, 2021.

For more information about the legal designation, treatment and release from confined facilities of sexually violent predators, visit the San Diego County District Attorney's website by clicking here.  You can also visit the Department of State Hospital's website by clicking here.

To learn more about the SAFE Task Force, click here.