Michael Cheek’s release remains in limbo as a state-mandate committee did not identify any viable housing options for him at its Thursday meeting. Cheek is due back in court Tuesday, when Liberty Healthcare Corporation — the state contractor trying to find him a home — is expected to bring more options.
Michael Cheek
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Sex offender Michael Cheek denied transient release in Santa Cruz County as efforts continue to place him
“I don’t know why my due process or liberty interest rights are not being considered here,” Michael Cheek told a Santa Cruz court Tuesday. The hearing ended with Judge Syda Cogliati denying his request for transient release, under which the state would purchase an RV for Cheek to call home. Cheek, twice convicted of rape, was cleared by state doctors in 2019 to reenter society under tight watch; Cogliati wants stakeholders to return Sept. 12 with options.
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Releasing convicted rapist Cheek to live in RV latest possibility in saga returning to Santa Cruz courtroom
Finding a path for convicted sex offender Michael Cheek back into the community has proved challenging, and on Tuesday, a Santa Cruz County court might consider a measure called “transient release,” under which the state would purchase a recreational vehicle for Cheek to call home. The latest hearing comes after an appeals court ruled that Cheek could not be placed in a house in Bonny Doon. Meanwhile, Cheek’s attorney has argued that continued delays are toeing the line of violating Cheek’s civil right to due process.
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Appeals court orders pause on the placement of a sexually violent predator in Santa Cruz County
An appellate court has blocked the placement of Michael Cheek, a man diagnosed as a sexually violent predator, in a Bonny Doon home pending a ruling on the matter. A Santa Cruz judge approved of the placement in November but then issued a stay.
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A judge OKs placement of sexually violent predator in Bonny Doon — shocked residents call it a ‘gross mistake’
Over the objections of prosecutors and neighbors Monday, a Santa Cruz judge approved the placement of Michael Cheek, diagnosed as a sexually violent predator, in a Bonny Doon home. Assistant District Attorney Alexander Byers said he plans to appeal the ruling, and Judge Syda Cogliati agreed to delay the effective date of the decision to give him a chance to do so.
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Supervisors: We want more control over placement of sexually violent predators
The board of supervisors voted Tuesday to direct county administrators to oppose taking in sexually violent predators in Santa Cruz County until state law is amended to give local jurisdictions more power in the decision-making process. The move will have no impact on the case of Michael Cheek, a man diagnosed as a sexually violent predator, whose placement in Bonny Doon is facing opposition from residents.
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Judge acknowledges unpopularity of sexually violent predator’s Bonny Doon placement, but wants to hear more
Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati continued the hearing about “sexually violent predator” Michael Cheek’s proposed placement on Wild Iris Lane to Oct. 14. Outside the courthouse Tuesday, community members made their feelings clear with signs such as “Keep Michael Cheek away from our families.”
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A test of ‘Bonny Doon Strong’: Why a ‘sexually violent predator’ should not be this community’s next battle
As 30% of its population continues to either rebuild, mitigate damage or choose where else to go next, the state of California, via a private company called Liberty Healthcare, has dropped another bomb on the community of Bonny Doon. A Santa Cruz judge can bring sanity to the situation Tuesday, but the recommended placement illustrates that this is a system in need of overhaul.
