FRESNO (KMJ) — It’s now back to square one to find a place for a man Fresno County District Attorney’s office describes as a “sexually violent predator” – Jeffrey Snyder.
A house had originally been selected for him in a neighborhood in Northwest Fresno. But that option was officially withdrawn from consideration in August 2016 after protests from local residents.
A trailer was then found for him in Squaw Valley, which then burnt down in December 2016.
The hearing inside Fresno County Superior Court Tuesday morning was supposed to assess the suitability of that location, but now officials have to keep looking.
“Unless and until we can find a location where we can be assured and we can be guaranteed he’s not going to re-offend, we’re going to keep doing this,” reveals Assistant District Attorney Steve Wright.
“The residents, we’re going to be the voice of the residents. If they tell the District Attorney’s Office they don’t want Mr. Snyder in the neighborhood, we’re going to go to court and fight for those residents and tell the judge that Mr. Snyder is not welcome in that place.”
Dave Wilterding and his wife were present at the hearing. They live close to the site in Squaw Valley where Jeffrey Snyder was going to be placed.
“There is room at the state hospital, to locate a mobile [home]. Put him in that mobile, he can walk to his therapy, he can walk to his treatments,” he says.
“You don’t have to spend an hour in each direction for him to get his groceries, and his mail, and that sort of stuff. A very convenient place to put him.”
The next review hearing is set for May 25th. If another location is found in Fresno County for Jeffrey Snyder – that’s when it’ll be announced.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
