State officials have proposed placing a sexually violent predator in the community of Jacumba Hot Springs, and a hearing on the matter will be held next month.
Under the proposal, David Munoz, 69, would live at 45612 Old Hwy. 80, across from the Jacumba Airport. Munoz is a diagnosed pedophile who served years in prison for molesting and attempting to assault multiple children.
If approved, he would become the sixth sexually violent predator living under supervision in a rural San Diego County community.
A hearing to discuss Munoz’s suggested placement has been scheduled for 9 a.m. May 3 in Department 2204 with San Diego Superior Court Judge David Gill. Public comments will be accepted until April 18 via email at sdsafe@sdsheriff.org, over the phone at (858) 583-7238 or by mail addressed to the SVP Release/SAFE Task Force at 9425 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.
“This is your opportunity to support or object to the proposed placement before it is finalized,” the release on the placement reads.
Depending on the court’s ruling, comments may be accepted during May’s hearing, as well.
To be classified by the state as a sexually violent predator, or SVP, a person has to have been convicted of a violent sex crime against at least one victim and be diagnosed with a condition that makes that person likely to re-offend. The designation is reserved for less than 1 percent of the state’s sexual offender population and means those people can be committed to state hospitals long after serving their prison terms.
While at the state hospital, SVPs can take part in treatment programs aimed at curbing their criminal urges. Eventually, they can petition the court to release them to live under supervision by state authorities in the community, where they are required to continue treatment on an outpatient basis.
Between 1988 and 1992, Munoz was convicted of molesting two girls, ages 12 and 2, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He also attempted to assault three other victims. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 1992 and was found to be a sexually violent predator in 1998.
Munoz was civilly committed to Coalinga State Hospital for treatment and petitioned to be released under supervision in 2021 — a request Judge Gill granted.
