The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Residents protest placement of child rapist in Lancaster

by The AV Times Staff • January 20, 2022

Residents protest outside the residence of sexually violent predator Lawtis Rhoden at 48040 25th Street East. [Images by BRYAN HALL]
LANCASTER – A small group of residents Thursday gathered outside the new Lancaster placement of Lawtis Donald Rhoden, a sexually violent predator with multiple child rape convictions dating back to 1969 and a history of reoffending.

“We don’t want you here! Leave!” a female protestor shouted into a bullhorn, as two other females set up chairs outside the property, located at 48040 25th Street East.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, State Sen. Scott Wilk, and Congressman Mike Garcia joined several local residents last month in speaking out against Orange County Superior Court Judge Megan Wagner’s decision to place Rhoden in the Antelope Valley under supervised release.

“Enough is enough,” Barger said last month. “This is becoming an issue of equity and we cannot allow the North County to be a recurrent location for violent criminals who have no nexus or connection to the area.”

Rhoden’s new address is approximately eight miles from the closest Sheriff’s station. The location is also a considerable distance from any support programs and essential care services, and the rural terrain has unreliable cell phone and GPS service, which would be problematic for the 24/7 monitoring that will be necessary to ensure community safety.

Rhoden, 72, was either convicted or pleaded guilty to multiple child rapes and other sexual assaults in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties and Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in 1969. He was committed to California’s Department of State Hospitals after spending nearly 20 years in state prison. The Orange County Superior Court found him suitable for supervised release in 2019, setting off a long process in which officials worked to find a location for him to reside amid opposition from residents and politicians. Judge Wagner ruled on Dec. 3, 2021 that Rhoden would be placed at the Lancaster home.

Rhoden is under the care of the state-funded company Liberty Healthcare. More information on Rhoden and his crimes can be found on the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s website at: https://da.lacounty.gov/sexually-violent-predators.

This is the second placement of a sexually violent predator in the Antelope Valley in the past several months, following the release of Calvin Grassmier who was recently placed in the Sun Village / Littlerock area.

Previous related stories:

Officials upset with placement of sexually violent predator in Antelope Valley

Local residents urged to fight placement of sexually violent predator in Lancaster

–

 

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Home, Lancaster

4 comments for "Residents protest placement of child rapist in Lancaster"

  1. Alby says

    January 24, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    They shouldn’t and neither should the AV.

  2. ACE says

    January 21, 2022 at 10:38 am

    IF HE HAD BEEN EXECUTED…

    NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVER BEEN BOTHERED BY HIS SENIOR YEARS PLACEMENT IN LANCASTER…

    WILL THERE BE A PUBLIC MEETING..?

    OR ARE STOPPING THE WEED GROWING IN LEONA VALLEY MEETINGS MORE VITAL..?

  3. Reloctation says

    January 20, 2022 at 11:16 pm

    Relocate Rhoden to Kathryn Barger’s neighborhood.

    • Mark A says

      January 21, 2022 at 12:59 pm

      Are you kidding? People who live in Santa Clarita think they’re “special” and they shouldn’t have to live with homeless, convicts or Section 8.

Recent Comments

  • Lefty Timmy on New claims sought against LA County in deputy body slam lawsuit: “Ohhhhhh Timmy.” Mar 30, 01:34
  • Slam on New claims sought against LA County in deputy body slam lawsuit: ““Attorneys for the county and the district deny any liability and state that the plaintiff is not entitled to damages…”…” Mar 30, 01:02
  • Frank Rizzo on Readers Speak Out! (January 2023): “Rex is awesome. His is the best person to come from the AV along with Frank Zappa. No one is…” Mar 29, 18:45
  • Frank Rizzo on Readers Speak Out! (January 2023): “The point is how can you care about others when you can’t care about yourself. Duh.” Mar 29, 18:30
  • Frank Rizzo on Readers Speak Out! (January 2023): “It only democrats and social justice warriors that do this type of thing Tim.” Mar 29, 18:29

Copyright © 2023 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use