Another Placement of a Sexual Violent Predator in the Antelope Valley, (Lancaster)

This week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was notified of an upcoming hearing in the Orange County Superior Court that will consider Lancaster as a possible placement location for Lawtis Donald Rhoden, a sexually violent predator with multiple sexual assault convictions and a history of reoffending.

This 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 / Littlerock area. 

The proposed placement address for Rhoden is 48040 25th St East, Lancaster, CA 93535, which 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. 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.

THE ANTELOPE VALLEY IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND!!! 

Supervisor Barger is imploring the community to voice their concerns with the Orange County Court in advance of the placement hearing, which is scheduled for November 5, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Orange County Superior Court.Concerns and comments 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 Mr. Rhoden, and the Department of State Hospitals.

Mr. Rhoden was subsequently extradited to California for prosecution. He was first prosecuted in Orange County for a sexual assault he committed against a 17-year-old on June 2, 1984 in the City of Anaheim. He was convicted by an Orange County jury of rape by force, forceful sexual penetration, and sexual battery in March 1988. The Orange County Superior Court sentenced him to 17 years in state prison (later reduced to 12 years on appeal).

 
Following prosecution in Orange County, Mr. Rhoden was transferred to Los Angeles County. There, he was prosecuted for sexual assaults he committed against two 14-year-olds on April 24, 1984 and June 18, 1984 in the City of Bellflower and another area of Los Angeles County, respectively. On May 20, 1988, Mr. Rhoden pled guilty to two counts of forcible rape in Los Angeles County Superior Court and was sentenced to six years in state prison, consecutive to his state prison

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