Sexually Violent Predator Returned To State Mental Hospital

A man who captured national headlines when he was placed in a town where residents said they didn’t want him around is heading back to a state mental hospital.

Residents in Desert Center say they are relieved he’s gone.

“We’ve all been expecting for him to do something wrong and get caught for it. And that’s exactly what happened,” said Cheryl Magsam.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says Steven Willet, classified as a “sexually violent predator,” will return to the Coalinga State Hospital for treatment.

Willet was required to attend therapy sessions and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Palm Desert. To get there from Desert Center, he used the Sunline Transit bus.

Investigators followed Willet as part of his release agreement, and they say they observed behavior that was against his release conditions. The details of the behavior isn’t known, but investigators say it was observed during his interaction with the general public.

Willet was convicted of rape by force/fear against two separate victims, and serves prison time for his convictions. The sheriff’s department says due to a mental condition, he was civilly committed to a mental facility for several years after his sentence was complete.

Willet was re-located to Desert Center a year ago.

“We’re all just glad right now he’s outta here and we do not want another one coming here. We’ll fight even harder next time,” said Magsam.