Gregory Lee Vogelsang, a California pedophile imprisoned for a series of heinous sex crimes, has been granted parole under a controversial law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The 57-year-old predator, who committed multiple child molestation offenses in the Sacramento area in the 1990s, was convicted on numerous felony counts, including lewd acts on a child, kidnapping a child for lewd acts, and violent acts on a child.
Vogelsang was sentenced to 355 years to life in prison for his crimes. However, under the 2020 law that offers parole to elderly convicts aged 50 and older who have served 20 or more years in prison, he has been granted early release. Despite his long sentence, a parole board granted his release in November, and his case has been referred to a full parole board for final review on March 18.
The decision to grant parole to Vogelsang has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials and anti-crime advocates. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office condemned the decision, stating that the state’s elderly parole system is flawed. Previously, inmates were eligible for elder parole after serving at least 25 years of their sentence and reaching age 60. However, the law was relaxed in 2021 to allow inmates to apply for parole after serving just 20 years once they turn 50.
Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert criticized the parole law, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety of victims and citizens over serial sex offenders. California Republicans have also condemned Newsom over the parole law, calling for the reversal of the decision to release Vogelsang.
This case is not an isolated incident, as last month, another notorious child predator, David Allen Funston, was granted parole in Sacramento County. However, new charges were filed against Funston just hours before his release, highlighting the controversy and concerns surrounding the parole of dangerous criminals.
The parole of Vogelsang and other convicted predators underscores the challenges and debates surrounding California’s parole laws and the balance between justice, rehabilitation, and public safety. As the state grapples with issues of prison overcrowding and criminal justice reform, the release of individuals like Vogelsang raises questions about the effectiveness and impact of parole policies on community safety.
