FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The planned early release of convicted serial child predator into Fresno has been temporarily stopped, according to California Assemblyman David Tangipa of District 8.
“We have temporarily stopped the early release of serial child predator Gregory Vogelsang into Fresno,” Tangipa said. “This is a win, but the fight is far from over.”
The California Board of Parole Hearings granted elderly parole to the convicted child molester who was sentenced to more than 350 years in prison for sexually abusing children in Citrus Heights.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says 57-year-old Vogelsang had previously been convicted of molesting several young boys and was classified as a sexually violent predator.
Investigators say that between 1995 and 1997, Vogelsang molested at least six boys between the ages of 5 and 11.
California’s Elderly Parole Program allows inmates aged 50 or older who have served at least 20 years of continuous incarceration to receive a special parole suitability hearing.
Tangipa said the case raises broader concerns about who is eligible for early release.
“If someone like Vogelsang was even eligible for release, imagine how many more cases are coming behind him,” he said.
Tangipa credited public pressure for the decision, thanking people who attended a rally earlier this week.
“I want to personally thank every single person who showed up to our rally and made their voice heard earlier this week,” he said.
This victory happened because people like you refused to stay silent.
Tangipa urged continued pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s parole system.
“That’s exactly why we need to keep up the pressure on Gavin Newsom and his radical Parole Board,” he said.
“As a Republican elected official in California, as long as Democrats have a Supermajority, they will not listen to us unless we have grassroots supporters in the media, online, and at our rallies pressuring them to change course,” Tangipa said.
Tangipa said he wants changes to the parole board.
We can not rest until Newsom has fired or removed his corrupt and radical Parole Board Members who are approving the early release of these serial child predators and rapist!
