- Gary Snavely, 63, a convicted child molester, was released to a home on Running M Road in Borrego Springs on or before July 23, 2026.
- The California Department of State Hospitals selected the location, approved by a San Diego Superior Court judge, after previous housing in Julian fell through.
- San Diego County Sheriff's deputies and the SAFE Task Force went door-to-door to notify residents, emphasizing community safety without inciting fear.
- Snavely has a history of violating release conditions, having been returned to a state hospital in 2008 and 2015 after similar releases.
- Local officials, including Supervisor Jim Desmond, condemned the placement, calling Borrego Springs 'not a dumping ground.'
Community Alert in Remote Desert Town
Law enforcement officers walked the dusty streets of Borrego Springs this week to inform residents that a sexually violent predator is now living among them. Gary Snavely, 63, was convicted in 1987 for molesting two young girls and served time in state prison and a state mental hospital for the crimes. He has been civilly committed under California's Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) program. He is registered as a Sexually Violent Predator with the California Department of Justice and the County of San Diego. He is not wanted by law enforcement; rather, the notification is to allow the public to protect themselves. He was released on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to a home on Running M Road. The release marks the latest chapter in a long struggle to find suitable housing for offenders deemed safe for supervised release.
Housing Challenges and Judicial Approval
Finding a home for Snavely proved difficult. He was deemed suitable for conditional release in 2022, but the California Department of State Hospitals struggled to secure a location. A property in Julian was identified last year, but the owner later withdrew the offer. Ultimately, the state hospital system selected the Borrego Springs single family residence, and Judge Daniel B. Goldstein approved it in June 2026 after public input. Sheriff's officials did not specify the exact release date, stating only that it occurred 'on or before' Wednesday.
Local Outrage and Safety Measures
The news sparked anger among residents and leaders. Supervisor Jim Desmond, whose district includes Borrego Springs, posted on X: 'Borrego Springs is not a dumping ground. It’s a town. It has families…. Shame on the state for putting predators in our neighborhoods and calling it justice.' He added, 'Once again, the families of Borrego Springs are told to carry a risk the rest of the state refuses to take.' The San Diego County Sheriff's Office stressed that the notification is meant to inform, not frighten, and warned against harassment. “The purpose of this notice is to allow members of the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, noting that “an informed community is a safer community.” In accordance with California Penal Code Section 290, also known as Megan’s Law, deputies informed residents that the notification is intended to allow the public to protect themselves. The Sheriff’s Office also directed residents to the San Diego County District Attorney’s website for more information on SVP releases. Snavely must register as a sex offender for life and is under strict supervision with outpatient treatment.
California Context: SVP Program Under Scrutiny
California's SVP program allows for indefinite civil commitment of offenders deemed likely to reoffend, but releases have repeatedly stirred controversy. Snavely's past violations—he was returned to a state hospital in 2008 and 2015 after breaching conditions—underscore the challenges of monitoring high-risk individuals in rural communities. The Borrego Springs case mirrors tensions in other California towns where residents feel burdened by state decisions.
Background: A Pattern of Violations
Snavely was first released in 2007 under the Conditional Release Program (CONREP) but was back in custody within 75 days for violating terms. He was denied release in 2012, then released again in 2014, only to be rehospitalized six months later. His criminal history includes molesting two girls between 1982 and 1986, and he has been diagnosed with pedophilic disorder. He served time in state prison and a state mental hospital for sexually abusing two young girls over a four-year period. In 2008 and 2015, he had been living under supervision in Jacumba when he violated the conditions of his release and was returned to the hospital.
Conclusion
Borrego Springs now hosts a convicted predator with a track record of noncompliance, leaving residents on edge. Authorities urge vigilance but caution against vigilantism. The case highlights ongoing debates over where and how California houses sexually violent predators after their civil commitments end.