Two men designated as sexually violent predators were ordered by judges Thursday to be released to temporary housing.
The decisions came after searches for permanent housing proved fruitless for the conditional releases of Alvin Ray Quarles – known as the “bolder-than-most rapist” – and Merle Wade Wakefield. Both currently are undergoing treatment at a state hospital.
Where they will be released has not been determined or disclosed, but both men will be monitored via GPS, as well as security guards or law enforcement, on a round-the-clock basis.
Wakefield, 67, is expected to be released by next Tuesday. San Diego Superior Court Judge Yvonne Campos ordered that he be placed in one of two vacant homes where other SVPs were previously housed.
If the homes become unavailable in the future, Wakefield would be moved into an RV purchased by Liberty Healthcare, which operates the state’s conditional release program for sexually violent predators.
The time frame for the release of Quarles, 62, is more uncertain. It’s not expected to occur until after another hearing, on Dec. 19, when Liberty officials are set to discuss his options.
Sexually violent predators are those convicted of sexual offenses and diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes a person likely to re-offend.
Wakefield was convicted of lewd acts on a child in 1981 and rape by means of force, violence or fear in 1990 and was sentenced to state prison each time, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Quarles spent 25 years in state prison after pleading guilty in 1989 to committing a string of rapes, robberies and burglaries.
After serving their prison sentences, SVPs can undergo treatment at state hospitals, but may also petition courts to continue treatment in outpatient locations, where they are monitored and must abide by stringent conditions.
Finding locations to house SVPs on conditional release has proven difficult. A state audit released earlier this year said it takes an average of 19 months to find a suitable location in San Diego County.
Quarles was ordered released nearly a year ago, while Wakefield was originally ordered released almost four years ago. In Wakefield’s case, three prior proposed housing recommendations were either rejected by a judge or rescinded by state hospital officials.
Campos said nearly 7,000 properties have been evaluated to house him.
The judges overseeing both men’s cases said Thursday that they could not continue to keep the men confined to the state hospital after other judges ordered them released so long ago.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan issued a statement on Thursday denouncing state hospital officials for the inability to find permanent housing locations.
“We will continue to oppose transient releases and will insist that Department of State Hospitals fulfill their duty to find suitable fixed placement,” Stephan said.
