The hunt is on for a convicted domestic violence offender who slipped the leash in San Diego. Officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed that 53-year-old Quintin G. Wilkerson went missing from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) on March 15 after his ankle monitor sent out an alert indicating it had been tampered with. At around 12:45 p.m., staff conducted an emergency count, which affirmed that Wilkerson had flown the coop, prompting an immediate search by correctional officers and local law enforcement agencies. CDCR officials are now turning to the public for assistance.
Wilkerson is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 154 pounds, with brown eyes and a bald head. Last seen sporting black jeans and a black and white shirt with a distinctive white logo on the sleeve, he may not be readily noticeable in the busy streets of San Diego. The public is advised to be on the lookout but to exercise caution, recalling that Wilkerson was convicted for causing corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition to a certain person, with an additional enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury related to domestic violence. He was initially received from San Diego County on February 22, 2023, and has been part of the MCRP since January 23.
The Male Community Reentry Program aims to help eligible individuals close to the end of their prison sentences to reintegrate into society. It connects them with crucial community services ranging from substance abuse treatment and mental health care to family reunification. This incident represents a rare breach in a system that boasts a 99 percent success rate in rearresting those who absconded from such facilities since 1977. Despite optically favorable statistics, the current focus is on apprehending Wilkerson before he can cause harm or evade justice for his previous conduct.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding Wilkerson's whereabouts to act responsibly by contacting authorities or dialing 9-1-1. It's a civic imperative to ensure communities remain vigilant and secure. According to CDCR's statement, the reentry program is critical for easing convicted individuals back into the daily life of a community, providing a structured environment where they receive support in areas key to preventing recidivism.
