“We are not a dumping ground for other county’s predators.” Rep. Obernolte pushes back on second proposal for sexually violent predator placement in San Bernardino County
Rural San Bernardino County was once again targeted as a placement site for sexually violent predator Lawtis Rhoden on Thursday following a reversal of the decision to place the offender in Twentynine Palms in May. An Orange County judge announced a revised tentative placement in Newberry Springs, an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County’s High Desert.
“I am extremely disappointed by the news that the company in charge of Mr. Rhoden’s placement has once again attempted to make rural San Bernardino County the dumping ground for other county’s sexually violent predators,” said Rep. Obernolte. “It strains credibility that there is nowhere in either Orange County or Los Angeles County where this predator could be placed. The community of Newberry Springs is already facing public safety concerns due to the outbreak of large-scale illegal marijuana grows. Dumping a violent rapist into the community just seems cruel. California’s 8th District is not a home for other people’s violent predators, and I will once again do everything in my power to fight against this unfair placement.”
Rhoden has no ties to San Bernardino County and had previously been convicted of crimes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, among others. He has served multiple prison sentences for convictions of child rape and has a long history of targeting children. In his court assigned placement, Rhoden’s safety, as well as the safety of the community, would be the responsibility of local law enforcement officials.
Newberry Springs’ rural location and unincorporated status means that the San Bernardino County Sheriff will need to devote even more resources to this one individual while the department is already working to combat the rise in dangerous large-scale illegal marijuana cultivation sites in the area.
The Orange County Superior Court tentatively ordered the relocation of sexually violent predator Lawtis Rhoden to Twentynine Palms in March. Rep. Obernolte and several other local officials testified in a court hearing against the tentative relocation order, securing a reversal of the placement decision. The court date for public comment on the new proposal of Newberry Springs is set for September 2nd.