This is the San Diego County Sheriff's Department with a safety message on Friday, May 18th.
If you live in the East County, be aware that a Sexually Violent Predator now lives in your community.
JOSEPH HERMAN SMITH was released from a state mental hospital on Thursday, May 17th. He now lives at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch Road, Jacumba Hot Springs.
Smith has two prior rape convictions. He also served time in prison for molesting a child under 14 in the 90s.
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR SAFE TASK FORCE (SEXUAL ASSAULT FELONY ENFORCEMENT) IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED SITE. THAT SELECTION PROCESS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS (DSH) AND THE SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT.
Sheriff's Deputies went door to door in Jacumba Hot Springs on Wednesday, May 16th to notify the community about Smith's placement.
Smith is not wanted by the Sheriff's Department at this time.
California Penal Code Section 290, also known as “Megan’s Law,” permits law enforcement agencies to warn the community about sex offenders who frequent the area. The purpose of this notice is to allow members of the public to protect themselves and/or their children from sex offenders.
This notification is not intended to induce fear; rather it is our belief that an informed community is a safer community. Use of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass the subject or any other person will not be tolerated and may result in prosecution.
The SAFE Task Force is composed of participating and member agencies in the County of San Diego including state, local and federal agencies. For more information about SAFE, visit http://www.sdsafe.org/.
For more information on Megan's Law, visit https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.
To receive email alerts when a sex offender moves in and out of your neighborhood, register at www.sandiegocountysexoffenders.com.
