Residents voice opposition to placement of sexual predator

A large crowd gathered in opposition to the placement of a sexually violent predator in Sun City. (Staff photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Concerned residents packed an auditorium in Sun City today to express opposition to the proposed placement of a sexually violent predator in their community.

District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Menifee Police Chief Pat Walsh conducted the Town Hall meeting, which was set up to receive public feedback about the potential presence in the community of 68-year-old Lawrence Moff. Riverside County Superior Court judge Emma C. Smith has proposed the release of Moff from the Coalinga State Hospital and the owner of a local board and care facility has agreed to accept Moff.

Before such a release can take place, however, the court is required to hear testimony from local residents regarding such a release. Deputy district attorneys were present at the Town Hall to accept public testimony, which will be included in an affidavit sent to the judge. Hestrin and Walsh both announced that their offices oppose such a placement.

“We believe this individual is still a danger to the community,” Hestrin said.

In 1978, Moff was convicted of one count of child molestation in Los Angeles County. In that case, he molested two young boys, ages 7 and 8, on several occasions. Moff met the two young boys after befriending their parents at church, according to a Menifee Police Department news release.

Moff was also convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with another child in Riverside County on Jan. 2, 1997. In that case, Moff again befriended the parents of a 9-year-old boy at church. Moff was sentenced to 11 years in prison for this offense.

Moff’s placement is proposed at a board and care facility in the 26100 block of Fountain Bleu Drive in the Sun City Community in Menifee. The facility’s owner, who attended the Town Hall, said the facility is not a locked facility but is considered a secure one.

“If a patient tries to walk out, an alarm sounds,” said Thomas Uata, who was met by shouts of derision from the crowd. “They can’t leave by themselves. If he displays any misbehavior that puts our residents in danger, there’s a number we call.

“Just like a nurse can’t refuse care because a patient has committed a crime, there is a similar code of conduct for us. We stand impartial; whatever the court orders, that’s what we follow.”

In answer to a resident’s question, Daima Calhoun of the DA’s Office said there is about “a 50-50 chance” the court will be persuaded not to place Moff in this community. That wasn’t much comfort to the residents, including seniors who are visited by grandchildren as well as parents of children who walk to Ridgemoor Elementary School, located less than a mile from the board and care facility.

“I live four doors from this facility,” one woman said. “I’ve lived in this community 22 years, and I’ve thought about moving. I do see these people out walking in the neighborhood. I don’t feel it’s even 1 percent safe.”

“Can you look into my eyes and tell me this is not going to affect my kids?” asked a father whose children walk to Ridgemoor Elementary.

One resident pointed out that an online map showed 39 sex offenders living within a mile radius in the Sun City neighborhood, and some wondered why Town Halls were not held before those people were placed in the community.

“Some of those offenses do not fit under this law,” Calhoun said about the law regarding sexually violent predators. “Less than 10 percent of sex offenders fit the definition of a sexually violent predator. They have to have committed a certain class of crime and suffer from a mental illness, such as pedophilia.”

Walsh said there are “zero sexually violent predators” currently living in Menifee and that this was residents’ one opportunity to oppose the placement of Moff. A July 29 court date is scheduled for the judge to make a final determination on this issue.