Sexually Violent Predator Unit

 WHO ARE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS (SVPs)?

When an inmate who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense (qualifying conviction) is within six months of being paroled from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), they will be referred to the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) for a mental health evaluation by at least two experts who will opine whether the inmate meets the sexually violent predator (SVP) criteria. In addition to the qualifying conviction, the SVP criterion requires a diagnosable mental disorder and the likelihood that the person will engage in acts of sexual violence without appropriate in-custody treatment for their mental disorder.

If DSH determines that an individual meets the SVP criteria, they will be referred to the Sexually Violent Predator Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who will determine whether to file a petition seeking civil commitment to a secure mental institution under the Welfare & Institutions Code. The SVP Unit is a unit of the Sex Crimes Division comprised of highly experienced and specially trained prosecutors who handle all aspects of the SVP commitments in court.

Once a court or jury finds a person to be an SVP beyond a reasonable doubt, the SVP is committed to DSH, where they can receive sex offender treatment. The SVP will remain committed to DSH until a court determines that they are either ready for community-based treatment (conditional release) under the supervision of DSH’s Conditional Release Program (CONREP) or no longer present a danger to the community (unconditional discharge).

If a court determines that the SVP is ready for CONREP, DSH must meet with participants from the county where the SVP will be housed to obtain assistance and consultation in locating housing. The participants are specified by law and include: members of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office SVP Unit, counsel for the SVP, County Counsel, and local law enforcement for the area considered. Prior to a court ordering the placement of an SVP in a specific location, the community will have the opportunity to be heard as to the placement by the court.

Persons proposed for placement under DSH SVP CONREP:

CHRISTOPHER HUBBART

In 1973, Mr. Hubbart was convicted of rape and three counts of sodomy in Los Angeles County and committed to Atascadero State Hospital. In 1982 in Santa Clara County, he was convicted of eight counts of residential burglary, six counts of false imprisonment, and two counts of rape. In 1990 in Santa Clara County, he was convicted of false imprisonment and sentenced to five years in state prison. Prior to his release from prison, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office sought a civil commitment by filing a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) petition against Mr. Hubbart under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, Welfare and Institutions Code section 6600, et seq. (SVPA). In 2000, the Santa Clara County Superior Court found Mr. Hubbart to be an SVP and committed him to the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) for treatment.

In 2014, the Santa Clara County Superior Court ordered Mr. Hubbart conditionally released to Los Angeles County under the supervision of DSH SVP Conditional Release Program (CONREP). However, he was returned to DSH in 2016. In 2021, DSH recommended that Mr. Hubbart was suitable to be conditionally released once more. In 2022, Santa Clara Superior Court found that his domicile was Los Angeles County, meaning that he would be conditionally released to Los Angeles County if the court determined that he was suitable for release.

On March 24, 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court found Mr. Hubbart suitable for conditional release and ordered DSH and Liberty Healthcare to begin the search for suitable housing. The case was transferred to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Members of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office SVP Unit, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and County Counsel have participated in the housing committee process. Our office has demanded that public safety be the highest concern.  Our office has been formally notified of DSH’s recommendation to the court to place Mr. Hubbart at 28800 Cruthers Creek Road, Pearblossom, CA 93553.

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Information on scheduled placement hearings, including how to provide comment to the court:

 

Court Public Notice for Hearing:

 

Persons currently under the supervision of DSH SVP CONREP in Los Angeles County:

  1. Calvin Grassmier: ordered released in November 2020; placed in a home at 10320 E. Ave Q10, Littlerock, in September 2021 

  1. Lawtis Rhoden: ordered released in October 2019; placed in a home at 48040 25th St. East, Lancaster, in January 2022.

     

    Additional information is contained on the Megan’s law website at https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov.

     

For an overview of the Sex Offender Commitment Program at DSH and CONREP, you can visit California Department of State Hospitals - Sex Offender Commitment Program

DSH notice of public meetings regarding CONREP can be found here:
California Department of State Hospitals - Public Meetings

For any questions or concerns regarding SVP, you can reach the SVP Unit at SVP@da.lacounty.gov.