A California sheriff is challenging a proposal to move convicted rapist Michael Thomas Cheek from a locked psychiatric facility to a taxpayer-funded rental home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The proposed property is located within a few miles of a Girl Scout camp and schools, raising concerns about public safety and supervision. Officials are also weighing whether the area’s difficult terrain, unreliable power and weak cell service could undermine electronic monitoring.
Cheek, 74, was convicted of raping two victims at gunpoint, including a 15-year-old girl. A Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments about the proposed housing arrangement on October 30.
Article Subheadings
| 1) | The proposed Santa Cruz Mountains placement |
| 2) | Why the sheriff is objecting |
| 3) | Cheek’s criminal history and treatment record |
| 4) | Challenges involving monitoring and emergency response |
| 5) | The next legal step |
The proposed Santa Cruz Mountains placement
State officials are considering transferring Michael Thomas Cheek, 74, from a locked psychiatric facility to a rental home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The property is valued at more than $800,000 and would be paid for with public funds. The proposed location is near a Girl Scout camp and schools, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark.
The plan would place Cheek in a residential setting after he completed a sex offender treatment program at the psychiatric facility in 2019. Two earlier efforts to place him in Santa Cruz County were unsuccessful. The current proposal is now subject to judicial review.
Why the sheriff is objecting
Sheriff Chris Clark said the location raises concerns because it is close to children and educational facilities. He also described the surrounding community as tightly connected but difficult for law enforcement to reach quickly because of its mountainous setting.
“The community for which he’s being considered to be released, it’s a really tight-knit community. It’s not necessarily the easiest place for us to get to, you know, if and when something were to happen.”
Clark also argued that Cheek has no personal connection to Santa Cruz County beyond having victimized people there. He said residents should not be burdened with housing him in one of the most expensive areas in the country when he is not from the county.
Cheek’s criminal history and treatment record
Michael Thomas Cheek was convicted in 1980 of raping a young woman at gunpoint. He later escaped from the Contra Costa County jail and raped a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint. The convictions led to his classification as a sexually violent predator.
Cheek completed a sex offender treatment program in 2019 while housed at a psychiatric facility. The proposed move would change his placement from a locked institution to a rental residence, subject to conditions and oversight considered by state officials and the court.
Challenges involving monitoring and emergency response
The sheriff’s concerns extend beyond the property’s proximity to the camp and schools. Mountain communities can lose electrical power during winter weather, and cell connectivity in the area is described as poor. Those conditions could affect an electronic monitoring system and make it harder for residents to contact authorities if they became concerned about Cheek’s behavior.
“When you talk about our mountain communities, it’s not uncommon that during the winter, you know, these folks lose power. The cell connectivity is extremely poor up there.”
Clark questioned how effective electronic supervision would be without electricity or reliable communications. He also cited the potential difficulty deputies could face when responding to an incident in rugged terrain.
The next legal step
A Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments on October 30 regarding Cheek’s proposed housing. The hearing will provide the next formal opportunity for the placement plan to be examined. State officials must weigh the proposed residence, treatment history, supervision arrangements and public safety concerns.
The dispute centers on whether the proposed safeguards would be adequate for the location and community involved. The sheriff has made clear that his opposition is based on the site’s proximity to children, the area’s access limitations and the reliability of monitoring systems.
Key Points
| 1) | A proposed rental home is near a Girl Scout camp and schools. |
| 2) | Cheek is 74 and classified as a sexually violent predator. |
| 3) | The sheriff cited emergency-response and public-safety concerns. |
| 4) | Power outages and weak cell service could affect electronic monitoring. |
| 5) | A judge is scheduled to hear arguments about the plan on October 30. |
Summary
The proposed placement of Michael Thomas Cheek in a publicly funded rental home has prompted opposition from Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark. The sheriff’s objections focus on the home’s proximity to children, difficult mountain access and possible failures in electronic monitoring. A court hearing on October 30 is expected to address whether the proposed housing arrangement can proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michael Thomas Cheek?
Cheek is a 74-year-old convicted rapist who was convicted of attacking two victims at gunpoint, including a 15-year-old girl. He was classified as a sexually violent predator.
Where could Cheek be housed?
State officials are considering a taxpayer-funded rental home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, within a few miles of a Girl Scout camp and schools.
Why does the sheriff oppose the proposal?
Sheriff Chris Clark cited the property’s proximity to children, difficult terrain, winter power outages and poor cell service, all of which could affect emergency response and electronic monitoring.
When will the proposal be reviewed?
A Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments about Cheek’s proposed housing on October 30.
