Gary Snavely
SAN DIEGO–Gary Snavely, a diagnosed pedophile and sexually-violent predator was ordered by Judge Louis Hanoian to return to Coalinga State Hospital after violating the terms of his release.
The violations included misuse of medications, failing to remain appropriately clothed at all times on his property while in public view, and failing to report any and all instances of sexual thoughts and fantasies involving sexual deviance to treatment staff. Snavely admitted the allegations and agreed to the revocation. He had most recently been living in Jacumba until July 2, when he was removed from his residence and placed back into custody of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for the violations. There are no new victims.
“One of our office’s priorities is protecting the citizens of San Diego against high-risk sex offenders,” District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said. “We will continue to use all available resources to seek the commitment of high-risk sex offenders and ensure there is transparency and accountability whenever a sexually-violent predator is released by the court into the community.”
Snavely was originally convicted in 1987 of molesting two girls between the ages of eight and nine-years old. The molestations occurred in the Orange County area and involved fondling and oral copulation. He served three years in prison and was thereafter placed on parole. Snavely violated the conditions of his parole and was returned to prison.
In 1996, after his release and while living in San Diego, he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in violation of California Penal Code 290. The court sentenced him to serve 16 months in state prison.
Prior to his release from prison, the District Attorney’s Office filed a petition to civilly commit Snavely as a sexually-violent predator. In 1998, he was found to be a sexually-violent predator and was ordered to undergo treatment at the state hospital.
In 2008, the court granted his request for conditional release however, he was returned to the state hospital several months later for medication misuse. He has remained inside the state hospital since that time and continued to avail himself of sex offender treatment.
Last April, Snavely filed a petition for conditional release and Judge Louis R. Hanoian, determined that Snavely could be safely treated in the community and granted his petition and approved housing in Jacumba.
Coalinga State Hospital is a mental facility.
