A 67-year-old sexually violent predator was released Tuesday from Coalinga State Hospital to a home in Jacumba Hot Springs, a temporary arrangement until a suitable long-term residence can be found.
Merle Wakefield was convicted of lewd acts on a child in 1981 and rape by means of force, violence or fear in 1990 and sentenced to state prison each time, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Wakefield served several years in state prison for his offenses before being committed to a state mental hospital for sexually violent predators, or SVPs, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Yvonne Campos ordered that he be placed at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch Road, one of two vacant homes where other sexually violent predators were previously housed. If the homes become unavailable in the future, Wakefield would be moved into a recreational vehicle purchased by Liberty Healthcare, which operates the state’s conditional release program for sexually violent predators.
“Wakefield is currently a transient. However, he has 24-hour supervision provided by Liberty Healthcare, a private company contracted by the state of California,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
Liberty Healthcare has security personnel accompanying him daily.
Wakefield was granted release in 2020 but had remained in Coalinga State Hospital while Liberty Healthcare searched unsuccessfully for a permanent home.
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