Chicago faces a major issue as hundreds of alleged criminals on electronic ankle monitors are missing. The Cook County pre-trial program has 246 participants unaccounted for, including individuals charged with serious crimes like murder and sexual assault. Former police chief Tom Weitzel criticizes the program for its security flaws.
Meanwhile, in San Diego, a convicted child sex offender, Merle Wakefield, remains missing after his GPS monitor signaled a tamper alert at his worksite. On Friday at about 3:30 a.m., Wakefield’s device activated ‘Tamper Mode,’ but he was gone when supervisors arrived. Liberty Healthcare, responsible for monitoring, informed authorities of his disappearance.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office has expressed concern and is actively searching for Wakefield. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond shared his worries through social media, labeling Wakefield as a convicted child molester and criticizing the state’s silence on the matter. The sheriff’s office said Wakefield violated release terms, being convicted in 1980 and 1991 for grievous crimes involving minors.
Wakefield has been free under conditional release since November 2024. Before his disappearance, officials warned about his release. A San Diego judge had allowed transient release, rather than fixed housing, increasing difficulty in monitoring his whereabouts.
The proposed release had sparked local protests due to Wakefield’s proximity to sensitive areas, such as schools. Mayor Steve Vaus criticized the transient release for its risks, advocating for clear residency requirements to assess public dangers.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office similarly objected, highlighting insufficient oversight. They argued for better housing solutions where individuals under conditional release could be thoroughly supervised.
State Sen. Brian Jones voiced concerns about Wakefield’s accommodations, worrying he might end up homeless or in taxpayer-funded housing. He called for an audit of the program supervising these releases, which revealed over one-third of participants violated their terms.
Critics suggest that sexually violent predators should stay in medical facilities rather than be reintegrated into communities. The California Department of State Hospitals defended its process, stating courts decide release eligibilities and its supervision includes GPS monitoring and surprise visits.
The controversy continues as Desmond urges for Wakefield’s re-incarceration. He argues that these releases endanger communities and advocates for confinement in state hospitals or jails as proper measures.
Authorities request public assistance, advising against direct encounters with Wakefield who is described as 5 feet, 10 inches, weighing 230 pounds with brown eyes. For sightings, contact local enforcement or dial 911.
Fox News Digital contacted Senator Jones and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office for their responses. Stepheny Price reports on this issue with a focus on crime stories and security concerns.