Image Credit:
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio is spearheading a new campaign of concerned citizens — this time of Borrego Springs — to oppose the placement of a Sexually Violent Predator in their community.
The Sexually Violent Predator in question is child molester Michael Martinez, and California state officials propose his placement be in the family-community of Borrego Springs. Nearly 20% of Borrego Springs’ 3,000 residents have children under age 18 at home and the region attracts families and young children year-round for a wide-range of recreation.
“It's reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable to place this Sexually Violent Predator — a convicted child molester — in a community filled with children under age 18,” said DeMaio.
DeMaio points out that Martinez is not just any sex offender — he is classified as a “Sexually Violent Predator,” which is the worst classification in the criminal justice system. To be classified as an SVP, a person has to have been convicted of a violent sex crime, be diagnosed with a mental disorder, and be likely to reoffend. Martinez has been convicted of four separate cases involving child molestation, and he has been diagnosed with pedophilia and personality disorders.
DeMaio says state politicians are increasingly siding with sex offenders and passing laws to make it easier for them to not only escape listing on Sex Offender Registries but live in residential communities and near schools and playgrounds.
After several Sexually Violent Predators have been released by government bureaucrats into San Diego county residential neighborhoods in recent years, DeMaio decided to organize concerned citizens and use the courts to try to block the releases.
And the effort is paying off. In October 2021, DeMaio successfully blocked the placement of another Sexually Violent Predator, Douglas Badger, in Rancho Bernardo. DeMaio organized thousands of angry voters to contact the judge overseeing Badger’s case to demand the court block placement.
DeMaio says he is committed to once again lead the opposition to block Martinez’s placement in Borrego Springs - but needs immediate help from members of the public.
DeMaio is calling for concerned residents to make their voices heard before it’s too late.
“We can still stop the placement of this horrible sex offender in Borrego Springs — file today to give a public comment and let the court know where you stand and sign our petition,” said DeMaio.
A hearing on this placement has been scheduled for July 8th at 10:00am in San Diego Superior Court with Judge David Gill presiding. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office and SAFE Task Force will submit your comments, due by June 15th, to the court for the court’s consideration.
The exact address proposed for placement is 3406 Running M Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.
In addition to writing the judge directly, DeMaio is urging the public to sign the petition to demand reform of laws to permanently prevent the release of Sexually Violent Predators into residential neighborhoods.
Email and Call the Judge to Oppose Release of Michael Martinez (Deadline: June 15!)
Email comments: sdsafe@sdsheriff.org.
Call and leave voicemail: (858) 495-3619.
Mail letters: SVP Release/SAFE Task Force 9425 Chesapeake Drive San Diego, CA 92123
Sign the Petition: Stop Placement of Sexually Violent Predators
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