Douglas Badger

COURT APPROVES PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN BORREGO

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Sexually violent predator Douglas Badger will be housed at a residence on Zuni Trail in Borrego Springs starting in May. The placement was approved by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers, over vocal objections from community residents and officials.

Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital, but he has been approved by the Dept. of State Hospitals for release.


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PROPERTY OWNER ASKS JUDGE TO TERMINATE AGREEMENT TO PLACE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR AT RANCHO BERNARDO HOME

East County News Service

October 5, 2021 (Rancho Bernardo) - The owners of the property where sexually violent predator Douglas Badger was proposed to be housed in Rancho Bernardo has decided they want to terminate the controversial agreement.


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STATE SEEKS PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR DOUGLAS BADGER IN RANCHO BERNARDO; HEARING OCT. 29

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2021 (Rancho Bernardo) – After two failed attempts to place sexually violent predator Douglas Badger in Campo or the Mt. Helix area, the state of California is now seeking conditional release of Badger at 17936 Frondoso Dr. in San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo community.


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JUDGE BLOCKS BADGER’S PLACEMENT AT MT. HELIX; JONES BILL WOULD LIMIT STATE DUMPING OF VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2021 (Mt. Helix) – Residents on Horizon Hills near Mt. Helix are reveling in a ruling by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers which blocks the state from placing Douglas Badger, a sexually violent predator (SVP) in the community. Earlier this month, another judge blocked placement of a second SVP, Merle Wakefield, at the same site.

The residents have announced a "Super Victory Party" on May 31 to celebrate keeping their neighborhood safe.


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SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR WAKEFIELD PLACEMENT DENIED BY JUDGE HARUTUNIAN

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Merle Wakefield, via San Diego Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force

May 10, 2021 (Mt. Helix) -- A San Diego Superior Court judge ruled today that a home in unincorporated El Cajon near Mt. Helix house is not an appropriate location to place a sexually violent predator (SVP).

Superior Court Judge Albert T. Harutunian III said that the house at 10957 Horizon Hills Drive is not appropriate to place sexually violent predator Merle Wade Wakefield. The judge indicated he will deny the placement because the neighborhood is too dense, and the house is too close to other homes with children, according to a press release issued by the Grossmont-Mount Helix Improvement Association (GMIA).

“It is not a safe placement for the community,” Harutunian said.


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THOUSANDS OPPOSE PREDATOR PLACEMENTS ON HORIZON HILLS: MONDAY DEADLINE TO OPPOSE SECOND PROPOSED RELEASE

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Thousands of residents signed petitions, sent letters and/or testified against placement of sexually violent predator Douglas Badger at 10957 Horizon Hills in unincorporated El Cajon. Public officials also spoke out to oppose the plan. While the community awaits the judge’s decision on the proposed release of Badger, which would be supervised by Liberty Healthcare, placement of a second SVP, Merle Wakefield, at the same address has triggered new outrage and a planned rally tomorrow to oppose the action.

The community plans a “Sexual Violent Predator Placement Protest” on Saturday, April 24 at 3 p.m. in the cul-de-sac at Horizon Hills Drive and Estates Way.  Comments on placement of Wakefield are due by April 26 and can be sent to sdsafe@sdsheriff.org or by calling (858)495-3619.  Residents may also contact Governor Gavin Newsom to ask that he issue an order requiring Wakefield and Badger be housed in a trailer at a state correctional facility instead of at the Horizon Hills site near Mt. Helix.


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COMMUNITY ORGANIZES TO PREVENT PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS IN HORIZON HILLS NEAR MT. HELIX

 April 9 is deadline for comments to block Badger's release just outside El Cajon city limits

By Henri Migala

April 6, 2021 (Horizon Hills/Mt. Helix) -- The Grossmont Mount Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) hosted a community meeting on Tuesday, April 6, at 5:30, to protest the proposed placement of two sexually violent predators (SVP), Merle Wade Wakefield and Douglass Badger, at 10957 Horizon Hills Drive in their community.

Well over 200 local community members of all ages attended the neighborhood meeting.


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HEARING APRIL 20 ON PROPOSED RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN EL CAJON NEAR MT. HELIX

By Miriam Raftery

 

Photo courtesy of San Diego Sheriff’s department

 

Public comments accepted through April 9

 

March 30, 2021 (El Cajon) – The state has proposed releasing Douglas Badger, a sexually violent predator, into a supervised home at 10957 Horizon Hills Drive. The site is just east of Avocado Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon, near Mt. Helix.


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STATE PROPOSES NEW SITE IN CAMPO TO HOUSE SEXUAL PREDATOR DOUGLAS BADGER

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2013 (Campo) – Despite protests from Campo residents, the state has proposed a new location in this rural community to house a sexually violent predator, Douglas Badger, 70. The home is located at 1138 Custer Rd. It is about 200 yards from the nearest neighbor and 2.2 miles from the nearest elementary school.

Public comment regarding the proposed location can be submitted until Dec. 20. Email submissions should be sent to sdsafe@sdsheriff.org. Comments can be submitted by phone by calling (858) 495-3619. State officials have scheduled a Jan. 3 hearing on the matter.


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PROPERY OWNER WITHDRAWS OFFER TO HOUSE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN CAMPO

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2013 (Campo) – Following a community protest and written complaints, the owner of a home in Campo has withdrawn an agreement to house Douglas Badger, a sexual predator with a long history of violence.  The state had announced plans to release Badger from a mental hospital to a residence on Hartnell Road in Campo, as ECM previously reported.


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SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR PROPOSED FOR PLACEMENT IN CAMPO

 

Public comments accepted between Oct. 8-18 and at hearing Nov. 15 in San Diego

September 27, 2013 (Campo) –  The Department of State Hospitals is proposing to release  a violent sexual predator, Douglas Badger, 70, from a state mental hospital and placing him at 30033 Hartfell Road in Campo.  Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital. 

“Given his violent history as a serial sexual predator, Douglas Badger forfeited his freedom long ago and should be locked up for good,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob stated in a media release. “It’s especially outrageous that this vile man would be housed at a location in Campo that is only four miles from two schools and a mile from a park where children gather and play.”


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