Sexual predator in Walnut Creek sent back to state hospital

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Residents in an East Bay neighborhood feel a lot safer now that a sexual predator has been sent back to a state hospital. Charles Christman was moved into their Walnut Creek neighborhood despite their protests and warnings. Now ABC7 News has learned that he's been sent back.

"Everybody feels more comfortable," said Walnut Creek resident Roger House.

Word traveled fast in the Walnut Creek neighborhood that sexually violent predator Charles Christman violated the conditions of his release and is no longer living among them.

"I don't have kids," said House. "But I know there are lots of kid around the neighborhood and it's just a good feeling to know there's not a threat anymore."

Fellow Walnut Creek resident Jill Orr added, "We were very excited to hear that he is no longer our neighbor, and I'm thrilled."

In a statement, Contra Costa County Assistant District Attorney Andrea Tavenier told ABC7 News, "It's unclear at this time whether any of the violations were criminal in nature. At this time, it does not appear that the conduct involved a minor. The conduct did not occur in Walnut Creek."

Christman's attorney and Liberty Healthcare, charged with overseeing his release, did not return ABC7 News' calls for comment.

But we've learned that Christman had some sort of interaction with an 18-year-old, and did not report the incident to Liberty.

Christman's return to the state hospital comes one month after a Martinez court hearing, where residents and the district attorney argued Walnut Boulevard was an unsuitable location for the serial sex offender, because of the neighborhood's high number of young boys.

"Placing him in the midst of 30 children, his defined prey, was never a good idea," said Walnut Creek resident Jeff Leinen. "And they should've known better right from the beginning."

Christman is being held at Coalinga State Hospital pending the outcome of a revocation hearing, set for July 13 in Martinez.