The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Merle Wakefield.  If you live in the community of Borrego Springs, the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has recommended the placement of  Merle Wakefield at 1575 Yaqui Road in Borrego Springs.  He was convicted of sexual assaults dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.

While this address falls within the jurisdiction of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 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.

Comments will be accepted during this placement hearing on:

September 13, 2021
9:00 a.m.
Hon. David M. Gill
San Diego Superior Court
Department 2204
1100 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101

With the hearing scheduled for September 13, 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 and the Department of State Hospitals.

Comments will be accepted between July 28 and August 11, 2021.

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

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.