Residents of Borrego Springs, a small community in San Diego County, California, have expressed alarm and concern following the release of Gary Snavely, a convicted child predator, back into their neighborhood. Snavely, who was convicted in 1987 for molesting two young girls over a four-year period in the 1980s, was released from state custody on Wednesday.

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies and the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force informed residents by going door-to-door, providing notification about Snavely's presence in the community. The sheriff's office stated that the purpose of such notices is to enable the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders, emphasizing that "an informed community is a safer community."

Snavely, who has been diagnosed with pedophilic disorder, has a history of confinement in both state prison and a state mental hospital. His release this week follows a judicial approval by Judge Daniel B. Goldstein in June for Snavely to reside in a single-family home on Running M. Road in Borrego Springs.

Local officials have voiced strong opposition to Snavely's placement. Jim Desmond, supervisor for District 5 in San Diego County, criticized the state's decision, stating on social media that "Borrego Springs is not a dumping ground. It's a town. It has families…. Shame on the state for putting predators in our neighborhoods and calling it justice." He added, "Once again, the families of Borrego Springs are told to carry a risk the rest of the state refuses to take."

This is not the first time Snavely has been released and subsequently returned to state custody. He was previously released in 2007 under the Conditional Release Program (CONREP), but within 75 days, he was back in a state hospital for violating the terms of his release. A petition for release in 2012 was denied. In 2014, Snavely was again released but returned to a hospital for violations approximately six months later. Mugshot of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely.

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The house at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs.

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