Sexually Violent Predator Vanishes After GPS Monitor Tampered With in San Diego

Authorities are actively searching for Merle Wakefield, a 69-year-old convicted child sex offender and violent rapist, who disappeared from a worksite in San Diego County after his GPS monitor triggered a "Tamper Mode" alert.

Wakefield was working in Rancho Bernardo when the alert sounded around 3:30 a.m. on Friday. Liberty Healthcare, the state contractor responsible for his supervision, responded to the location and discovered that the device had been removed and Wakefield was gone, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Wakefield has been on conditional release since November 2024. He was convicted in 1980 and 1991 for lewd acts with a child under 14 and rape by force. Officials stated that Wakefield is wanted for violating the terms of his release.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond criticized the situation, stating on Facebook that it had been over 48 hours since Wakefield removed his monitor and remains at large. Desmond has been a vocal opponent of placing individuals designated as sexually violent predators in the community.

Concerns about Wakefield's placement were raised prior to his release. A judge granted him a transient release in October 2024, allowing him to live without a fixed address rather than in a designated housing facility. This decision faced opposition from local officials, including Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, who argued that a lack of a fixed address would hinder monitoring efforts.

State Sen. Brian Jones also expressed concerns about Wakefield's release, questioning where he might end up and criticizing the state's sexually violent predator program. An audit of the program found that approximately 36% of participants had violated their release terms. Jones advocated for keeping sexually violent predators in hospitals rather than releasing them into communities.

The California Department of State Hospitals defended its supervision program, which includes GPS monitoring, unannounced home visits, and surveillance. The department stated that court orders determine conditional releases and that violations can result in a return to a state hospital. A court order for Wakefield's release had reportedly stipulated 24-hour in-person supervision.

Wakefield is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 230 pounds, with brown eyes. The sheriff’s office is urging the public not to approach him if spotted and to immediately contact 911 or local law enforcement with any information.