Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:50am on April 10 with new information.
Watsonville officials said Friday that a proposed plan to house a designated sexually violent predator at a Main Street motel has been halted after the property owner withdrew, citing community opposition.
The City of Watsonville and the Watsonville Police Department said they received confirmation that the owner of the Valley Inn at 970 Main St. will no longer participate in an agreement to house 74-year-old Michael Thomas Cheek. The California Department of State Hospitals had recommended placing Cheek at the site as part of an outpatient treatment program.
Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell also announced that Cheek will not be placed at either of the previously proposed locations — the Watsonville motel or a site at 111 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz.
The Department of State Hospitals contracts with Liberty Healthcare of California to supervise and monitor sexually violent predators in outpatient settings. Liberty publicly disclosed the Watsonville address on April 6, and notified the court April 9 that the placement was no longer viable.
In a letter to the court, Liberty said the property owner withdrew both locations early April 9 “based on community opposition.”
City leaders and police pointed to strong public response against the Watsonville proposal, including concerns about the motel’s proximity to schools, parks and organizations serving children.
Police Chief Brian Shab said he spoke directly with the motel owner about the potential impacts.
“We discussed the significant challenges this would create for the neighborhood, parents and their children, nearby community-based organizations, and the broader community,” Shab said in a statement. “We appreciate the owner taking the time to listen and consider the real impacts this would have had on Watsonville residents.”
Rosell said his office had raised public safety concerns about the proposed placements.
“Our office had significant public safety concerns with the proposed placement made by Liberty and we are pleased that these properties are no longer being considered,” he said.
Two town hall meetings previously scheduled for April 13 and April 20 to address the Watsonville placement have been canceled.
Officials said there are currently no proposed placement locations pending court approval. Cheek remains in a locked state psychiatric facility, where he continues to receive inpatient sex offender treatment through the Department of State Hospitals.
City officials said they will continue to monitor the case and remain involved if future placement proposals are considered in Watsonville.
