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By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Merle Wakefield, left, and Alvin Quarles, right
November 22, 2024 (San Diego) – Two San Diego judges have ordered “transient releases” to temporary locations for sexually violent predators Alvin Quarles and Merle Wakefield. The decisions came after repeated failed attempts at permanent housing for the men. The exact locations where they will be released have not yet been disclosed, though both are slated to wear ankle monitors and be guarded 24/7 by security or law enforcement personnel.
Quarles has been dubbed the “bolder than most” rapist for a series of sexual assaults in the 1980s committed at knife point, sometimes with the victim’s husband or boyfriend forced to watch. Wakefield has been convicted of rape and lewd acts with a child. Both men served many years in prison and received treatment in a state mental hospital prior to the state authorizing their release.
Superior Court Yvonne Campos approved release of Wakefield by Tuesday in a vacant home where SVPs have formerly been housed, or into an RV purchased by Liberty Healthcare, which runs the state’s conditional release program for SVPs. Wakefield’s location is expected to be determined following a Dec. 19 hearing.
Attempts to place each of the offenders in local communities including Mt. Helix, Campo, Poway, Jacumba Hot Springs and Borrego Springs have been blocked by judges or withdrawn by the state following overwhelming opposition, including letters from public officials including Supervisor Joel Anderson and State Senator Brian Jones.
District Attorney Summer Stephan, who has opposed release of Quarles and Wakefield, issued this statement. “In both of these cases, it was incumbent upon the Department of State Hospitals and their contractor, Liberty Healthcare, to find suitable housing for Sexually Violent Predators who have been ordered conditionally released where they can be closely monitored and supervised. They failed, despite the court giving them many chances and time to do so. We will continue to oppose transient releases and will insist that Department of State Hospitals fulfill their duty to find suitable fixed placement."
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