Police hunt sexually violent predator who vanished after GPS 'tamper mode' alert

Merle Wakefield, a convicted child sex offender, is missing in San Diego County after his GPS monitor alerted to a tamper mode at a worksite. Authorities are actively searching for him, and local officials have voiced concerns about the conditional release program and the supervision of sexually violent predators.
Wakefield was convicted of lewd acts with a child and rape by force and has been on conditional release since November 2024, monitored by GPS.
Local officials, including County Supervisor Jim Desmond and Mayor Steve Vaus, have previously opposed Wakefield’s release into the community due to risks associated with limited monitoring and supervision, advocating for confinement in state hospitals.

• 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.