Town Hall set on relocation of convicted sexual predator

Press release from Menifee Police Department:

The Menifee Police Department wants to make the community aware that a man determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) may be released from a state hospital to a residence in the Sun City community of Menifee.

The placement location being recommended is an assisted living facility at 26171 Fountain Bleu, Menifee. The recommendation has been made by the California Department of State Hospital’s designee, Liberty Healthcare.

The SVP is Lawrence Phillip Moff, DOB: 7-13-53, On May 8, 1978, Moff was convicted of one count of Penal Code section 288 (child molesting) in Los Angeles County. In that case, Moff molested two young boys ages 7 and 8 on several occasions. Moff met the two young boys after befriending their parents at church.

Moff was initially charged in Los Angeles County with Penal Code section 288 (child molestation), Penal Code section 288 (A)(C) sexual perversion, and Penal Code section 286(c) sodomy. Moff ultimately pled to one count of Penal Code section 288 (child molestation).

Moff was also convicted of Penal Code section 288(a), 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.

SVP Moff has been at Coalinga State Hospital since being released from prison for the Riverside County conviction. Based on the recommendation of a Coalinga hospital doctor, a Riverside County Superior Court judge has ordered the conditional release of SVP Moff into community placement.

Protecting the safety and well-being of the community is the Menifee Police Department’s top priority. To that end, the Police Department will be seeking the community’s input about this proposed location placement of SVP Moff through public comments at a Town Hall. The Town Hall will be held Wednesday, May 11, at 10 a.m., at the Civic Center/Webb Hall, 26850 Sun City Blvd, in the Sun City community of Menifee.

The Police Department will then provide information about the proposed placement and the community’s input to the Superior Court, which has scheduled a court hearing to hear evidence regarding the placement of SVP Moff. The court hearing will be held on July 29 in Riverside. If you’re unable to attend the Town Hall, you can still have your voice heard by emailing us at info@menifeepolice.org.