Court to Consider Release of Sexually Violent Predator Ross Wollschlager

VENTURA, California-District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today there will be a public hearing on November 7, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 13 to determine whether Ross Leo Wollschlager (DOB 5/31/63), a former resident of Ventura, will be released under supervision into San Bernardino County. Wollschlager is currently housed within a locked mental health facility. In 1983, he was convicted by a jury of raping two women. While on probation in 1989, he was convicted of forcible child molestation. Upon release from prison in 1996, Wollschlager was involuntarily committed to the Department of State Hospitals as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP). By statute, when the Department of State Hospitals finds an SVP suitable for conditional release under supervision, the court must review the plan and notice must be provided to certain authorities within the proposed county of residence.

Upon a finding of extraordinary circumstances, the court may authorize placement outside the SVP’s home county.

On January 31, 2019, the court found that Wollschlager had made significant improvement, was not a danger while under appropriate supervision, and thus was eligible for conditional release. Yet, after an exhaustive search, no placement facility could be located within Ventura County. On March 28, 2019, Wollschlager’s attorney sought and Judge Nancy Ayers found extraordinary circumstances existed to search for a placement facility outside of Ventura County. On September 19, 2019, Judge Ayers tentatively ordered that Wollschlager be placed in a facility within San Bernardino County. Accordingly, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office provided written notice to the San Bernardino District Attorney, as required by statute and court order.

The San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office has filed an objection with the court to the placement of Wollschlager in its county. District Attorney Gregory D. Totten stated, “While we continue to hope that an appropriate placement facility can be secured for Mr. Wollschlager, I understand and respect the concerns held by San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson and Sheriff John McMahon.”

There will be no further comment in light of the upcoming hearing on November 7, 2019.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on [email protected]

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