Sacramento County officials are sounding the alarm over the potential release of Gregory Lee Vogelsang, a convicted child molester serving a 355-years-to-life sentence, under California’s elderly parole program. The decision, which has sparked significant controversy, has led local authorities to urge public participation in an upcoming parole board hearing that will reconsider Vogelsang's case.
"This inmate will molest again, and yet this parole board is letting him out." — Thien Ho, Sacramento County District Attorney
Vogelsang, a Roseville resident, was convicted in 1999 on nearly 30 counts of kidnapping and sexual assault involving boys aged 5 to 11. He has served approximately 27 years of his extensive sentence. His eligibility for parole stems from California's elderly parole law, which permits inmates aged 50 or older who have served 20 consecutive years to request a hearing, even if their initial sentence effectively amounted to life imprisonment. Critics argue that this law, designed to address prison overcrowding, inadvertently allows violent sexual predators to become eligible for early release.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and Sheriff Jim Cooper have expressed profound concerns regarding Vogelsang’s potential release. They are actively encouraging residents to attend or submit comments to the California Board of Parole Hearings as it reviews the matter. District Attorney Ho emphasized the critical role of community input in safeguarding public safety. According to The Sacramento Bee, officials are encouraging the public to engage in this process.
Prosecutors detailed Vogelsang's modus operandi, which involved grooming families to gain access to children. He would invite boys to sleepovers, take them on outings, and offer gifts before repeatedly assaulting them over several years. Investigators reported that Vogelsang admitted to possessing victims' underwear for sexual stimulation. Psychological evaluations have consistently indicated that he remains primarily attracted to boys aged 5 to 11.
Further compounding the concerns, officials reported that as recently as 2020, Vogelsang admitted to fantasizing about children and scored above average on risk assessments for reoffending when compared to other sexual offenders, according to FOX26. District Attorney Ho articulated his deep apprehension about the parole decision, stating, "This inmate will molest again, and yet this parole board is letting him out." He further advocated for the exclusion of sexual predators from California's elderly parole law. Sheriff Cooper echoed these sentiments, asserting that "soft on crime does not work" and called upon lawmakers to revise the program to prevent serious sexual offenders from becoming eligible for early release.
The controversy surrounding Vogelsang's case has been amplified by a similar incident involving David Allen Funston, another convicted child molester who was granted elderly parole. Funston was subsequently arrested on new charges before his scheduled release, an outcome that intensified criticism of the state's parole policies, as reported by ABC10. This previous case has fueled concerns about the efficacy and safety provisions of the current parole framework.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed the legislation expanding elderly parole eligibility, has faced considerable criticism from law enforcement and lawmakers for the law that allows offenders such as Vogelsang to qualify for release. Critics argue that while the law was designed to alleviate prison overcrowding, it inadvertently creates pathways for violent sexual predators to re-enter society. They contend that age alone does not eliminate the inherent risk posed by such offenders, noting that many related crimes often go unreported for years, as highlighted by CapRadio. These critics emphasize that the specific nature of sex offenses, particularly those involving children, presents a unique and enduring risk that general parole criteria may not adequately address.
Conversely, supporters of the elderly parole program maintain that it incorporates robust safeguards and involves an extensive review process. They point out that many inmates who apply for elderly parole are ultimately denied release, suggesting that the system is not a mere automatic release mechanism. These supporters argue that the program is crucial for managing an aging prison population and ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, while still prioritizing public safety through rigorous evaluation.
The California Board of Parole Hearings is set to reconsider Vogelsang’s case at an upcoming hearing. This reconsideration provides a crucial opportunity for public engagement, with Sacramento County officials underscoring the vital importance of community input to ensure that public safety remains the paramount consideration as the board determines whether Vogelsang will remain in custody. The outcome of this hearing is highly anticipated, as it will not only decide the fate of Gregory Lee Vogelsang but also potentially influence future discussions regarding the scope and application of California’s elderly parole laws, particularly concerning violent and sexual offenders.
