Sexually Violent Predator Vanished in San Diego
A 69-year-old man under conditional release removed his GPS device and is currently missing from Rancho Bernardo.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Merle Wakefield, a convicted sex offender on conditional release, has gone missing after removing his GPS tracking device. Law enforcement officials have launched a search for the man, who was last known to be in the Rancho Bernardo area.
Why it matters
Wakefield is classified as a sexually violent predator, making his disappearance a significant public safety concern for the San Diego community. Authorities are actively working to locate him following the tampering of his state-mandated monitoring equipment.
The GPS tracking device triggered a tamper alert at 3:30 a.m. on September 25, 2026. The individual stands 5'10" tall and weighs 230 pounds.
The players
Merle Wakefield
He is a 69-year-old convicted sex offender who is classified as a sexually violent predator.
Liberty Health Care
This is the organization responsible for the supervision of the individual during his conditional release.
The details
Wakefield, who has been supervised by Liberty Health Care since November 2024, reportedly abandoned his designated location after disabling his device. He has a criminal history involving lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and rape by force.
Timeline
Wakefield was convicted of lewd acts and rape in 1980.
He was again convicted of similar charges in 1991.
He entered a conditional release program in November 2024.
The GPS device alerted to tamper mode on September 25, 2026, at 3:30 a.m.
Legal Context
The search for Wakefield follows procedures established under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, which dictates the monitoring and conditional release of high-risk offenders. This incident highlights the operational challenges and surveillance requirements mandated by the state's legal framework.
Residents in the Rancho Bernardo area and across San Diego should remain vigilant while the search continues. Local law enforcement is coordinating the response to locate the missing individual and ensure community safety.
The takeaway
The sudden disabling of monitoring equipment serves as a stark reminder of the limitations inherent in electronic surveillance for high-risk offenders. Public safety depends on both the efficacy of these monitoring technologies and the immediate reporting of any tampering events.
Further reading
For more information on monitoring programs, visit our Sex Crimes section.
