A man convicted of sexual assaults on women has been released from a state hospital and is now living in Jacumba Hot Springs.
The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of sex offenses for which community notification is permitted.
The subject is NOT wanted by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at this time. California Penal Code Section 290, also known as “Megan’s Law,” permits law enforcement agencies to warn the community about sex offenders who reside there.
The purpose of this notice is to allow members of the public to protect themselves and/or their children from sex offenders.
In order to uphold our mission to provide the highest quality public safety service to make San Diego the safest urban county in the nation, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has adopted a proactive community notification policy.
This notification is not intended to induce fear; rather it is our belief that an informed community is a safer community.
Use of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass the subject or any other person will not be tolerated and may result in prosecution.
If you have information regarding criminal activity about this or any other offender, call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200. In case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
INFORMATION: Sheriff's Deputies along with the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement or SAFE Task Force went door to door in Jacumba Hot Springs on Wednesday, May 16th to inform the community about a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) now living in their neighborhood.
Herman Joseph Smith was released from Coalinga State Hospital on Thursday, May 17th. Smith now lives at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch Road in Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934.
The Sheriff's Department or SAFE Task Force is not responsible for the selection of the proposed site. That selection process is the responsibility of the Department of State Hospitals.
SMITH is registered as a “Sexually Violent Predator” with the California Department of Justice and the County of San Diego.
This classification is based on felony convictions involving the sexual assaults of adult females between 1972 and 1993.
SMITH served several years in state prison for his crimes.
Public references: California Megan’s Law website www.meganslaw.ca.gov San Diego Sex Offender Management Council website www.sdsomc.org San Diego County Sex Offenders www.sandiegocountysexoffenders.com
REFERENCE: If you have any additional information or questions regarding this community notification, contact Detective Timothy Dinger at the SAFE Task Force (858) 268-5412.
FOR COMMUNITY RELEASE BY THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT