Sheriff Fights Release of Convicted Rapist Near Girl Scout Camp

Sheriff Chris Clark of Santa Cruz County is actively opposing the potential release of Michael Thomas Cheek, a 74-year-old convicted rapist, to a residential property in Los Gatos. The proposed location, situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is near schools, a Girl Scout camp, a church, and residential neighborhoods, raising significant safety concerns for the sheriff.

Clark highlighted the challenging terrain surrounding the proposed Terrace Grove Road address, noting that dense forests and steep inclines could impede emergency response times should Cheek reoffend. "The concerns are specific and serious," Clark stated. "The home is surrounded by dense forest and steep terrain. Schools, a Girl Scout Camp, a church, a public park, and neighborhoods where families live are also nearby."

Cheek has a history of violent sexual offenses. In 1980, he raped a woman at gunpoint on Seabright Beach. The following year, after escaping custody, he committed another armed rape, this time against a 15-year-old girl. Due to these crimes, he was classified as a sexually violent predator.

After serving decades in prison, Cheek completed a sex offender treatment program at a locked psychiatric facility in 2019. He was subsequently cleared for supervised housing. The current proposal requires approval from a Superior Court judge.

This is not the first attempt to place Cheek in Santa Cruz County. Two previous proposals for housing in Bonny Doon and Aptos were met with public opposition and ultimately failed. The sheriff also pointed to potential difficulties in search and apprehension operations in the area due to narrow roads, abandoned structures, and recreational vehicles.

Superior Court Judge Nancy De La Pena is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the proposed placement on October 30th at the Santa Cruz County courthouse. Previous attempts to house Cheek in the county have faced community resistance.