SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A sexually violent predator was conditionally released Tuesday from Coalinga State Hospital, authorities said.
Merle Wakefield, who has a history of violent crimes including rape by force and lewd acts with a child, was granted a transient release by a county judge last month.
“He has served several years in state prison for his crimes before his civil commitment to a state mental hospital for sex offender,” the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release Tuesday.
Liberty Health Care, a private company contracted by the State of California, will provide 24-hour supervision of Wakefield, according to SDSO. He will be residing at a home in a rural area in East County.
Authorities have informed the community Wakefield is staying in as part of “Megan’s Law,” which notifies members of the public so they can protect themselves and their children from sex offenders.
“This notification is not intended to induce fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed community is a safer community. Use of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass the subject or any other person will not be tolerated and may result in prosecution,” the sheriff’s department said.
Wakefield has a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender.
Another sexually violent predator, Alvin Quarles, also known as the “bolder than most rapist,” was too approved for a transient release by a court this month and is scheduled for a second hearing on Dec. 19 to further discuss his living accommodations.
