Police hunt sexually violent predator who vanished after GPS 'tamper mode' alert
Merle Wakefield had been on conditional release since November 2024 with GPS monitoring. Now the convicted sex offender is missing in San Diego County.
TL;DR
- Merle Wakefield, a 69-year-old convicted child sex offender, is missing in San Diego County.
- His GPS monitor triggered a "Tamper Mode" alert at a worksite, and supervisors found the device removed and Wakefield gone.
- Wakefield has convictions for lewd acts with a child under 14 and rape by force, and has been on conditional release since November 2024.
- Local officials, including County Supervisor Jim Desmond, have expressed strong concerns about the conditional release program and Wakefield's disappearance.
- Concerns were previously raised by local officials and judges regarding Wakefield's placement and adequate monitoring, with some advocating for him to remain in state hospitals.
- Wakefield is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 230 pounds, with brown eyes.