Housing located for sexually violent predator’s return to Monterey County

Proposed housing has been determined by the California Department of State Hospitals for a sexually violent predator who is required to return to Monterey County by law.

Eldridge Lindsey Chaney, Jr., is slated to be housed at 780 El Camino Real North, Prunedale, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Chaney was convicted of rape and attempted burglary in 1978 in Seaside. He was found guilty of raping at 16-year-old girl and assault to commit rape on another woman.

Chaney served more than ten years in prison and was then sent to the state sex offender program in 2000. Case managers said he received treatment at both Atascadero and Coalinga State Hospitals.

“He has gone through the mental health treatment as prescribed by the state and is now subject to a conditional release,” Monterey County Commander John Thornburg said.

Case managers said Chaney petitioned for conditional release after completing the first four phases of the state sex offender program. He is being placed in Monterey County as part of the transitional release program where he will continue receiving treatment.

“Sexual assault investigators will actively monitor him,” Commander John Thornburg with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said. “He will be wearing a GPS bracelet and we will do random compliance checks to make sure he is still living where he has told us he is living.”

Chaney’s conditional release was ordered by the Monterey County Superior Court last October. During that decision, it was determined his conditional release will be supervised by Liberty Healthcare. The Sheriff’s Office said Chaney is in the final phase of relapse prevention treatment.

Commander Thornburg know there could be backlash from neighbors.

“Of course any parent’s first thought is that of concern,” Isaac Scott said.

The Scott family lives down the road from the proposed home. Scott said he understands the importance of making amends.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” Scott said. “So I believe everybody should get a second chance.”

But his family’s security comes first.

“I keep pretty good security I have a locked gate,” Scott said. “I keep a good eye on my kids, so I’m not personally worried about my family because I’ve got the security measures.”

A community meeting will be held to hear comments from the public on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Prunedale (17716 Pesante Rd., Salinas, CA 93907).

The Sheriff’s Office said residents with questions about Chaney can formally submit comments to the Monterey County Superior Court. For more information on public comment: https://www.montereysheriff.org/pr-echaneyjr/

A court hearing for Chaney’s placement will be held Wednesday, August 5, at 3 p.m. in Department 1.

A listing for the home can be found here.