Sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield vanishes after removing GPS in San Diego

Key points

• Wakefield's GPS device triggered a 'tamper mode' alert at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Friday while he was working at a warehouse in Rancho Bernardo.
• Liberty Healthcare, the state contractor responsible for his supervision, arrived at the location to find the device removed and Wakefield gone.
• Wakefield is wanted for violating the terms of his conditional release, which began in November 2024.
• He was previously convicted in 1980 and 1991 of lewd acts with a child and rape by force.
• The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is urging the public not to approach him but to contact law enforcement if spotted.

Background

This incident follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding California's conditional release program for sexually violent predators (SVPs). Prior to his release, local officials in San Diego County, including the District Attorney's Office and State Senator Brian Jones, opposed placing Wakefield in the community without a fixed residence, citing concerns about limited monitoring. Jones had previously called for an audit of the program, noting that approximately 36% of participants had violated their release terms. Wakefield was initially ordered to be released as a transient with round-the-clock supervision but was later placed in a home in Jacumba Hot Springs and most recently in Campo.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasized the failure of the GPS monitoring system and the state's lack of public communication regarding the disappearance, quoting local officials who criticized the release of such individuals into communities. NBC 7 San Diego highlighted the community's fear in Rancho Bernardo, where residents had previously rallied against the placement of another predator, and noted that Wakefield was last seen at an Amazon processing center. The San Diego Union-Tribune provided broader context on the conditional release program, noting that it is a small group of offenders (less than 1% of the state's sexual offender population) and that the state has spent $93 million to house and monitor 56 participants. 10News.com focused on the immediate public safety appeal, urging residents to report any sightings without approaching the suspect.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Merle Wakefield raises serious questions about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring and conditional release programs for high-risk offenders. It highlights the potential vulnerabilities in the system and the ongoing debate over whether such individuals should be released into the community or kept in state hospitals. The incident has prompted a renewed call for stricter oversight and accountability in the management of sexually violent predators.

What to watch

Law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Wakefield and are relying on public assistance to locate him. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office and other agencies are urging the public to report any sightings or information that could help in his apprehension. The incident may also lead to a review of the conditional release program and the protocols for monitoring and supervising SVPs.