EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — El Dorado County officials are calling for the community to speak up about a convicted Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) potentially being released into the county.
According to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, David Bergey could be released into the county. A public meeting about it is scheduled for Nov. 8.
Bergey was convicted of sex crimes involving two separate minors in 1993 and received an eight year and eight month prison sentence. By 1998, he was deemed a Sexually Violent Predator by the state, and by 2001, he was admitted to the Department of State Hospitals for treatment instead of being released into the community.
Officials said a court recently ordered him to be released after three doctors found him suitable for treatment in the community.
"While the DA's Office and its law enforcement partners understand an SVP is entitled to less restrictive treatment in the community, the public is also entitled to safety, security, and knowing what is happening with the release of each SVP," the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office said on Facebook.
Officials are calling on the public to have their voice heard on where Bergey could be placed.
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 8 at 3321 Cameron Park Dr. in Department 9. It is open to the public.
However, defense attorney Mark Reichel said communities blocking the release of SVP into their community is rare.
"It's rare, but it's possible. But it doesn't mean that that person won't be released elsewhere," said Reichel.
