Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 9 at 4pm with information about upcoming community meetings.
The cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz are opposing the proposed placement of a man deemed a sexually violent predator, and are urging residents to contact Santa Cruz County Superior Court to voice their concerns.
The California Department of State Hospitals has proposed placing Michael Thomas Cheek, 74, at the Valley Inn at 970 Main St. in Watsonville as his primary residence, according to Watsonville police. He would be placed at 111 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz if the Watsonville site “is no longer viable,” according to a city of Santa Cruz news release.
Cheek was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and forcible oral copulation of a 21-year-old woman in Santa Cruz County in 1980. Before he began his sentence, Cheek was transferred to Contra Costa County to face allegations that he violated the terms of his probation.
But Cheek escaped from a jail facility and fled to Lake County where he raped a 15-year-old girl.
In 1997, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney successfully petitioned to have Cheek declared a sexually violent predator (SVP) under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, and he was committed to the California Department of State Hospitals (CDSH) for sex offender treatment.
A sexually violent predator is an individual who, due to a diagnosed mental disorder, is predisposed to the commission of criminal sexual acts and constitutes a danger to the public.
In 2019, the Department of State Hospitals deemed Cheek an appropriate candidate for conditional release and Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Seigel ordered his conditional release to Santa Cruz County. Between 2019 to 2026, the Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare were unsuccessful in their attempts to find an appropriate placement for Cheek.
In a Facebook post, the city of Watsonville said it “strongly opposes” the proposed placement.
“A hotel setting is not appropriate for (sexually violent predator) placement and raises serious public safety concerns,” the post states. “The proposed site is located in a busy commercial corridor near youth- and family-serving spaces, and hotel guests would be unaware they could encounter an SVP on the premises.”
Watsonville officials said they plan to hold a town hall to gather community input.
Under California law, individuals designated as sexually violent predators may be considered for conditional release under supervision.
Proposed placements must be more than a quarter-mile from any K-12 school, including private schools and homeschool programs.
In a news release, Santa Cruz city officials cited several reasons for their concern, including that Cheek should not have any contact with minors.
“Yet, the proposed location is extremely close to at least a dozen youth-serving facilities, including parks, beaches, a preschool and a youth center,” the release states.
In addition, the proposed location is frequently occupied by families and children, creating unavoidable contact with potential victims, the release states. It is also close to other visitor-serving motels.
“The city’s position is that Mr. Cheek’s residence at this location would alter the intensity and character of land use and would require a coastal development permit under the Coastal Act,” the release states.
On Aug. 11, 2025, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Nancy de la Pena ordered Liberty Healthcare to prepare a transient release plan for Cheek, and on March 20, de la Pena scheduled a hearing on May 22 at 1:30pm to be held for a potential placement.
•••
HEARING INFORMATION
Scheduled Town Halls with Spanish interpretation
• April 13, 5:30pm —Cesar Chavez Middle School cafeteria, 440 Arthur Road
• April 20, 5:30pm—Starlight Elementary School multipurpose room 225 Hammer Drive
The public is invited to attend the hearing or submit comments in writing via email to cr**********@************rt.org or via mail to Superior Court, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. All comments must be submitted by April 27.
He should claim that Santa Cruz and Watsonville is a sanctuary county,
Relaes him next door to Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Seigel, who is ordering his release.
Oh, and have him pay for his housing instead of the taxpayers….
I agree make sure that Siegel is his neighbor. Because he shouldn’t be getting out of jail at all. He should have been shot he raped a teenager he raped a woman he did this during his release so why are they even letting him out at all they want to put him in a hotel right around the corner from the women’s Center and teen challenge
They are letting out because of California’s liberal, woke, policies. These types of offenders cannot be rehabbed no matter type treatment is given.