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Manhunt Underway for Sexually Violent Predator Who Removed GPS Monitor
Authorities say Merle Wakefield removed his GPS monitor and vanished while supervised under California's conditional release program, prompting a countywide search.
- On Friday, law enforcement launched a search for sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield after his GPS device entered "tamper mode" while he was working in Rancho Bernardo.
- Convicted in 1980 and 1991 of lewd acts with a child under 14 and rape, Wakefield has been under 24-hour supervision by Liberty Health Care since his November 2024 conditional release.
- The San Diego County Sheriff's Office and Fugitive Task Force are actively searching for the 69-year-old, who has been missing since his monitor was removed on Friday.
- San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond criticized the state's handling of the release on Sunday, while officials advised the public not to approach Wakefield and to call 911.
- Previously housed in Jacumba Hot Springs under the Conditional Release Program, Wakefield remains at large as authorities continue utilizing various resources to locate him.
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23 Articles
23 Articles
'Sexually Violent Predator' sought after tampering with GPS, disappearing in San Diego
San Diego County authorities are searching for Merle Wakefield, a 69-year-old sexually violent predator who fled his designated location after tampering with his GPS device.
·San Diego, United States
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left1Leaning Right5Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
C 67%
R 28%
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