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A Superior Court Judge in Fresno ruled that sexually violent predator Richard Horn may not move from Seeley to rural Brawley.

Judge Richard Black of Fresno County says that Horn may not move from the Dixieland mobile home he has occupied since being released from Atascadero State Hospital in 2007. Horn had been convicted of forcible rape, sexual assault , attempted sexual assault and numerous thefts. Horn was placed in Imperial County because his last known address prior to incarceration was here. Originally , authotities tried to place him near Holtville but those efforts were ended by public protests. Authorities then placed him , along with a 78-year old roommate , in the mobile home near the old townsite of Dixieland , west of Seeley. Horn used money he got in a settlement to purchase a house on Weaver Road near Brawley and petitioned the court to allow him to move. Judge Black denied the request. The Fresno jurist said the Brawley house was too close to a school bus stop, too close to a fishing hole used by children , to close to a business that employes young women and too close to houses where young women reside. The Judge also said his decision was based on a report by the firm contracted to monitor Horn , that the convicted felon continues with disturbing sexual habits, displays negative attitudes towards supervision and treatment and fails to recognize risky situations. Imperial County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Beard travelled to Fresno to present arguments against Horns requested move. A number of written comments opposing the move were submitted by Imperial County residents as well.