Serial rapist Chaney will live in Prunedale, state officials say
Updated: 11:07 AM PDT Jul 8, 2015
Amy Larson
KSBW.com Digital Media Manager
Eldridge Lindsey Chaney Jr. is a sexually violent predator.
After nearly three decades behind prison bars and in state mental hospitals, a serial rapist is scheduled to be freed into Monterey County on a supervised released program. Eldridge Lindsey Chaney Jr. is a sexually violent predator, and on Tuesday afternoon, state officials revealed an address where he will be assigned to live. The Department of State Hospitals is recommending residential placement for Chaney at 780 El Camino Real North in Prunedale.Prunedale is home to several neighborhoods in rural unincorporated Monterey County.A community meeting is scheduled for receiving public comments about the chosen housing location. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 14, at First Baptist Church of Prunedale, 17716 Pesante Road.Chaney was convicted of rape in 1978. He was also convicted in 1988 for raping a 16-year old girl, and attempting to rape a military officer's wife. The three crimes happened in Seaside during home invasions. He was living in Seaside at the time. "Chaney used the element of surprise in all his assaults and twice used weapons to overcome his victim's resistance," Monterey County Sheriff's Detective Larry Bryant said. "Eldridge Chaney's victim selection does not have a clear pattern. Victims range in age from teens to middle-age females."Residents with questions and concerns about Chaney and his Prunedale housing location are encouraged to attend the July 14 community meeting. Sheriff's officials and County Supervisor John Phillips will attend and receive comments.Public comments are also being accepted for the next two weeks by the Sheriff's Office online, at montereysheriff.org/echaneyjr. A court hearing for Chaney's housing is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. with Judge Lydia Villarreal in Dept. 1. The courthouse is located at 240 Church Street in Salinas. Chaney is now 62 years old, weighs 210 pounds, and is 5'10" tall. Chaney served more than 10 years in prison before he was committed to state's sex offender program in 2000. He received treatment at Atascadero and Coalinga state mental hospitals.Chaney petitioned for conditional release into Monterey County after completing the first four phases of the sex offender treatment program. Phase Five of the program is transitional release into the community. Once he is living in Prunedale, Chaney will continued to be monitored by the state health department and receive treatment.Deputies said releasing the chosen address was for "public safety information purposes only.""Misuse of this information in the form of harassment, threats, or other related activities can result in criminal prosecution or civil remedies," deputies said. Bryant stressed that the sheriff is not responsible for choosing 780 El Camino Real North as the serial rapist's new home. "Neither the Monterey County Sheriff's Office nor the SAFE Task Force is responsible for the proposed residential site. The selection of the residence is the responsibility of California Department of State Hospitals (as contracted with Liberty Healthcare) and the California Superior Court, County of Monterey," he said. The housing search lasted nearly a year. In March, prosecutor Angela McNulty said, "It is certainly a careful search. Ensuring the safety of the community and (Chaney) is what's utmost in their mind, and the court's mind, and all of our minds. The court is going to do whatever it feels is necessary to protect both the public and Mr. Chaney, just as it did in regard to Mr. Lamb." James Lamb is another sexually violent predator. Lamb admitted to molesting more than 50 boys while he lived in Spreckles, outside Salinas. It took more than two years to find housing for Lamb, and once a house was chosen on River Road outside Chualar, some residents vowed vigilante justice.Lamb lost his freedom in 2012 because he failed to register as a sex offender, and he wrote letters to a "prohibited person." Judge Adrienne Grover said new evidence, including the letters, revealed Lamb was a danger to society even while under strict supervision.Lamb was sent to Coalinga State Mental Hospital.Past Coverage: Serial rapist will get freedom, free housing in Monterey County
PRUNEDALE, Calif. —
After nearly three decades behind prison bars and in state mental hospitals, a serial rapist is scheduled to be freed into Monterey County on a supervised released program.
Eldridge Lindsey Chaney Jr. is a sexually violent predator, and on Tuesday afternoon, state officials revealed an address where he will be assigned to live.
Serial rapist will get freedom, free housing in Monterey County
Prunedale residents react to sex offender moving into town
The Department of State Hospitals is recommending residential placement for Chaney at 780 El Camino Real North in Prunedale.
Prunedale is home to several neighborhoods in rural unincorporated Monterey County.
A community meeting is scheduled for receiving public comments about the chosen housing location. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 14, at First Baptist Church of Prunedale, 17716 Pesante Road.
Chaney was convicted of rape in 1978. He was also convicted in 1988 for raping a 16-year old girl, and attempting to rape a military officer's wife. The three crimes happened in Seaside during home invasions. He was living in Seaside at the time.
"Chaney used the element of surprise in all his assaults and twice used weapons to overcome his victim's resistance," Monterey County Sheriff's Detective Larry Bryant said. "Eldridge Chaney's victim selection does not have a clear pattern. Victims range in age from teens to middle-age females."
Residents with questions and concerns about Chaney and his Prunedale housing location are encouraged to attend the July 14 community meeting. Sheriff's officials and County Supervisor John Phillips will attend and receive comments.
Public comments are also being accepted for the next two weeks by the Sheriff's Office online, at montereysheriff.org/echaneyjr.
A court hearing for Chaney's housing is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. with Judge Lydia Villarreal in Dept. 1. The courthouse is located at 240 Church Street in Salinas.
Chaney is now 62 years old, weighs 210 pounds, and is 5'10" tall.
Chaney served more than 10 years in prison before he was committed to state's sex offender program in 2000. He received treatment at Atascadero and Coalinga state mental hospitals.
Chaney petitioned for conditional release into Monterey County after completing the first four phases of the sex offender treatment program. Phase Five of the program is transitional release into the community. Once he is living in Prunedale, Chaney will continued to be monitored by the state health department and receive treatment.
Deputies said releasing the chosen address was for "public safety information purposes only."
"Misuse of this information in the form of harassment, threats, or other related activities can result in criminal prosecution or civil remedies," deputies said.
Bryant stressed that the sheriff is not responsible for choosing 780 El Camino Real North as the serial rapist's new home.
"Neither the Monterey County Sheriff's Office nor the SAFE Task Force is responsible for the proposed residential site. The selection of the residence is the responsibility of California Department of State Hospitals (as contracted with Liberty Healthcare) and the California Superior Court, County of Monterey," he said.
The housing search lasted nearly a year.
In March, prosecutor Angela McNulty said, "It is certainly a careful search. Ensuring the safety of the community and (Chaney) is what's utmost in their mind, and the court's mind, and all of our minds. The court is going to do whatever it feels is necessary to protect both the public and Mr. Chaney, just as it did in regard to Mr. Lamb."
James Lamb is another sexually violent predator. Lamb admitted to molesting more than 50 boys while he lived in Spreckles, outside Salinas. It took more than two years to find housing for Lamb, and once a house was chosen on River Road outside Chualar, some residents vowed vigilante justice.
Lamb lost his freedom in 2012 because he failed to register as a sex offender, and he wrote letters to a "prohibited person." Judge Adrienne Grover said new evidence, including the letters, revealed Lamb was a danger to society even while under strict supervision.
Lamb was sent to Coalinga State Mental Hospital.
Past Coverage: Serial rapist will get freedom, free housing in Monterey County