The upcoming release of Lawtis Donald Rhoden sparked an outcry from Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger Wednesday, with the announcement that the convicted serial child rapist may be released in Lancaster, just northeast of Santa Clarita.
Orange County Superior Court has scheduled an upcoming hearing to consider Lancaster as a possible placement location for Rhoden, a serial rapist who has been convicted of numerous sex crimes against at least five teenage girls.
Barger referred to Rhoden, who was convicted of raping several teenage girls across three different states, as a “sexually violent predator who has committed heinous crimes against women and girls across multiple regions over the past 50 years.”
Prior to the placement hearing, Barger is imploring the community to voice their concerns with the Orange County Court, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Orange County Superior Court.
Rhoden’s case is the second proposed 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 and Littlerock area.
“Enough is enough,” Barger said when notified of the potential placement. “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.”
The repeat offender, who was first convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Florida, has received a proposed placement address on the 48000 block of 25th Street East in Lancaster, approximately eight miles from the nearest Sheriff’s Station, according to Barger.
“The location is also a considerable distance from any support programs and essential care services,” Barger noted. “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 has had a history of reoffending after raping his first known victim a total of three times and was later convicted through a plea agreement of one felony lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14-years, according to San Bernardino County’s District Attorney’s Office.
After being sentenced to 14-months in a state mental hospital and 12-years in state prison where he was treated for his “inability to control his sexual drive for young girls,” he was paroled and went on to sexually assault at least four children in two states.
“Rhoden was convicted of rape by force, forceful sexual penetration, sexual battery, and two counts of forcible rape stemming from crimes he committed in Orange County and Los Angeles County, California in April and June 1984,” read a statement from San Bernardino County’s District Attorney’s Office.
These sexual assault charges were committed across three separate incidents against two 14-year-old girls and one 17-year-old girl where the victims were lured under the guise that Rhoden was a photographer offering modeling photoshoots, according to San Bernardino County’s District Attorney’s Office.
While these allegations were being investigated, Rhoden sexually assaulted his fifth known victim in Nashville and was subsequently convicted of rape and use of a minor for obscene purposes.
“The State of Tennessee sentenced Rhoden to 20 years in state prison, the Orange County Superior Court sentenced him to 12 years in state prison, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court sentenced him to six years in state prison,” read a statement from San Bernardino County’s District Attorney’s Office.
Now 71-year-old Rhoden has completed his sentencing and the Orange County Superior Court determined Orange County as Rhoden’s official ‘place of domicile,’ and in 2019 ruled that he can be conditionally released to the community, according to Barger.
“Any proposed placements suggested by the Conditional Release Program, the state contractor responsible for identifying possible locations, should be within Orange County,” Barger said after finding out that officials are considering Lancaster as a possible release location. “I find it hard to believe that none have been found, forcing the search to extend to Los Angeles and other surrounding counties.”
Placements outside the county of domicile can be made if the court acknowledges extraordinary circumstances under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, as is the case for Rhoden.
The Orange County Superior Court has scheduled a hearing on Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. where they are expected to make their final release decision, only after they hear from the community.
Prior to the placement hearing, Barger is imploring the community to voice their concerns with the Orange County Court, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Orange County Superior Court.
Concerns and comments regarding Rhoden’s placement should be sent before October 19, 2021 to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who is compiling all submissions to share with the court, counsel for Rhoden, and the Department of State Hospitals.
To leave a comment, email Rhoden.Comments@da.lacounty.gov or send in a physical copy to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office at 9425 Penfield Ave., #3210, Chatsworth, CA 91311.
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