The California Parole Board (BPH) has once again approved the parole application of another child sex abuser this month, following the previous approval of the parole of a child serial predator last month. Law enforcement officials in Northern California expressed anger, stating that releasing these “predators” who have shown no signs of reform poses a significant risk to the safety of community children.
On Thursday (the 12th), the Sheriff and County Prosecutor of Sacramento County, the state capital, held a joint press briefing to criticize the California Parole Board for approving the release of another child sexual predator.
The 57-year-old perpetrator granted parole is Gregory Vogelsang, a resident of Roseville in Placer County, Northern California. He was convicted of kidnapping and sexual crimes involving six children aged 5 to 11 between 1995 and 1997, sentenced to 355 years in prison, and has only served 27 years so far this year.
Sheriff Jim Cooper of Sacramento County expressed outrage at the parole decision, stating, “How could he be released early? How does that make sense?”
He noted that Vogelsang confessed to inviting boys to his home and sexually assaulting them, with investigators finding boys’ underwear on him, revealing that he did so for sexual gratification, labeling him as a “predator.”
Cooper emphasized that given the heinous nature of crimes committed by child sex offenders, they should be locked away forever. He asserted, “Some wounds cannot be healed… sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated, it’s just not possible,” and added, “The only thing that should change is that sex offenders should not be eligible for elderly parole, that’s a given.”
“The Parole Board has let us down, they are terrible,” Cooper said, citing this case and the previous Funston case, stating, “They must go, no negotiation.”
Prosecutor Thien Ho of Sacramento County pointed out during the briefing that Vogelsang expressed urges towards sexually assaulting children during the parole hearing. “We all know this will lead to harassment, kidnapping, and possibly child murder,” he said, stating that the risk assessment indicated a higher-than-average likelihood of the prisoner reoffending, despite the Parole Board’s decision to release him.
Ho stated that the County Prosecutor’s Office has been closely monitoring the case and has requested a reconsideration of the decision from the Parole Board. A new hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday (the 18th). He urged the public to attend to voice opposition or to express their concerns through calls and emails.
Ho also noted the potential demonstration effect of this case and stressed the importance of advocating for children. He disclosed that he had a list of five other child sex offenders facing parole review.
On social media platforms, furious critics have condemned the Parole Board, expressing disappointment with California laws.
Prior to this, the California Parole Board approved the parole of another serial child sex offender, sparking community panic.
The perpetrator David Allen Funston abducted and raped eight children aged 3 to 7 in the state Capital District, resulting in 16 serious felonies in 1999 and multiple life sentences. Funston admitted during the hearing that he repeatedly fantasized about committing crimes, yet his parole application was approved last September and confirmed last month.
The Governor’s office subsequently stated that Governor Newsom opposed Funston’s release, having requested a “reconsideration” in January. Under California law, the Governor can only block parole for murder convictions.
Before Funston’s release, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant and filed additional charges, leading to his transfer to Placer County, preventing his release into the community.
California law currently allows prisoners over 50 years old and having served at least 20 years in prison to qualify for elderly parole. The state legislature is currently reviewing this program. Republican State Assemblyman Thomas W. Lackey introduced AB2570 legislation on Thursday, aiming to raise the age for elderly parole for violent offenders to 75 years old.
According to a study published in the Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law up to 2024, there are 33,000 prisoners in California serving life sentences or without the possibility of parole, with those over 50 accounting for 23%. ◇