A sexually violent predator who molested two young girls in 1989, served time in prison and received treatment in a state hospital and on an outpatient basis, was granted Tuesday his unconditional release back into San Diego County.
David Chambless, 53, hugged his attorney, Michael Ruiz, after hearing the order from Superior Court Judge David Gill.
Chambless pleaded guilty in 1990 and was due to be released from custody in 1998, but was committed to a state mental hospital for more treatment.
Chambless completed a sex offender treatment program in 2007 and was given his supervised conditional release into the community.
This May, Chambless petitioned for his unconditional release.
The judge today granted Chambless' petition after reviewing reports from three doctors, all of whom opined that Chambless no longer posed a significant danger to the community.
Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler told the judge that her office had no evidence to oppose Chambless' petition for release. She said Chambless no longer meets the criteria as a sexually violent predator.
The prosecutor reminded Chambless that he has to continue to register as a sex offender.
Ruiz said Chambless spent close to six years being supervised in the outpatient release program.
"It's time for Mr. Chambless to be a free man," his attorney told the judge.
The judge told Chambless that he was a "success story" and needed to stay out of trouble.
"I don't want to see you again," Gill said.
Descanso resident Molly Roby said Chambless has been living in a single-family home in her community for the past year. She said she was "deeply disappointed" with the judge's decision to grant Chambless his unconditional release.
"Once a predator, always a predator," Roby said outside court. "It's a mental illness, it's a disease. Curing it is a worthwhile goal. Can it be cured? I think the system wants to prove that by releasing him unconditionally onto our small, little dirt road."
