Gavin Newsom’s law grants parole to pedophile with 300-year sentence

A California pedophile convicted of multiple sex crimes may soon be released from prison under a controversial law signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Gregory Lee Vogelsang, 57, was granted parole under a 2020 law that offers early release to “elderly” convicts aged 50 and older who have served 20 or more years in prison. Vogelsang was convicted of molesting several children in the Sacramento area in the ’90s and was sentenced to 355 years to life in prison for felony counts including lewd acts on children and kidnapping.

Despite his lengthy sentence, Vogelsang appeared before a parole board in November that granted his release. The governor’s office has referred his case to a full parole board for final review on March 18. The decision to release Vogelsang has sparked outrage, with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office criticizing the parole board for granting early release to a sexually violent predator.

The parole system in California has come under scrutiny, especially with the recent loosening of the rules in 2021 to ease prison overcrowding. Under the new rules, inmates can apply for parole after serving just 20 years once they turn 50, instead of the previous requirement of serving 25 years and reaching age 60. Anti-crime advocates and California Republicans have condemned the potential release of Vogelsang, calling for the safety of victims and citizens to be prioritized over the release of serial sex offenders.

This is not the first time such a controversial parole decision has been made in California. Last month, another convicted child predator, David Allen Funston, was granted parole but faced new charges just hours before his release. The parole board’s decisions have raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the parole system in the state.

As the case of Gregory Lee Vogelsang continues to unfold, the debate over parole laws in California is likely to intensify. Critics are calling for a reassessment of the parole system to ensure that dangerous criminals are not released back into society. The controversy surrounding these parole decisions highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the release of convicted offenders and protecting the community from potential harm.