Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark is publicly challenging a state proposal to move Michael Thomas Cheek, a 74‑year‑old convicted rapist classified as a sexually violent predator, from a locked psychiatric facility to a taxpayer‑funded rental home in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Location and safety worries
Clark told Fox News Digital that the property, valued at more than $800,000, sits within a few miles of a Girl Scout camp and local schools. He described the area as a “tight‑knit” mountain community where rugged terrain and poor winter power and cell service could hamper deputies’ ability to respond quickly if Cheek were to reoffend.
“When you talk about our mountain communities, it’s not uncommon that during the winter these folks lose power. The cell connectivity is extremely poor up there,” Clark said. “So when you think about monitoring him electronically, how effective are those systems if you have no electricity? And how about if people can’t call for help?”
Cheek’s criminal history
Cheek was convicted in 1980 of raping a young woman at gunpoint, escaped from Contra Costa County jail, and later assaulted a 15‑year‑old girl at gunpoint. He was later designated a sexually violent predator. He completed a sex‑offender treatment program at a psychiatric facility in 2019, but prior attempts to place him in Santa Cruz County failed.
“Mr. Cheek has no tie to our county. He’s not from Santa Cruz County. His only tie here is that he abducted and raped someone,” Clark said. “It’s completely unfair for our county to bear the burden of housing him in one of the most expensive places in the country to live.”
Legal process
A Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the proposed housing arrangement on Oct. 30. Fox News Digital reached out to Cheek’s attorney for comment but did not receive a response.
The debate highlights the tension between state‑level decisions on public‑safety housing and local officials’ responsibility to protect their communities, especially when vulnerable youth and families are nearby.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
