Republicans in the California Legislature rallied with victims’ advocates Wednesday to blast Gov. Gavin Newsom and demand changes to state parole laws as another notorious child sex predator neared possible release.
More than 50 people gathered outside the California Board of Parole Hearings in Sacramento just before commissioners were set to revisit a November decision granting parole to Gregory Lee Vogelsang, a Roseville man convicted of dozens of child molestation and kidnapping charges.
He has served just 27 years of a 355-year sentence.
The closely watched decision comes just weeks after David Allen Funston, 64, was granted parole under California’s Elderly Parole Program.
His release was blocked at the 11th hour when Funston was hit with new criminal charges just hours before he was due to be released.
Assemblymember David Tangipa was among those condemning California’s early release policies, which critics say have accelerated parole reviews for violent child predators.
“Let’s sear this into your mind — Charles Manson would be eligible for parole,” Tangipa said, referencing the notorious cult leader responsible for a series of murders. “Jeffrey Epstein would have gotten diversion.”
“That’s how broken this state is.”
Vogelsang’s case — and a string of recent parole decisions involving sex offenders — has reached what appears to be a breaking point in Sacramento, intensifying Republican attacks on California’s sentencing reforms and raising new questions about how the state weighs rehabilitation against public safety.
State Sen. Shannon Grove said the system is failing victims, pointing to a recent parole case involving Funston, who admitted during his hearing that he was still attracted to young girls.
Grove noted that Funston was asked: “Are you still attracted to female children?”
He answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
“After that transcript, … they let him out,” Grove said. “On this parole board’s watch, child rapists go free. Californians need to stand up.”
Vogelsang’s release was under review Wednesday morning, with commissioners having the option to affirm, modify or reverse the earlier decision. The outcome could determine whether he is released after nearly three decades behind bars.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho recently said he had a “list of five other child molesters who are going to be up for parole,” and the law needs urgent modification, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Protesters on Wednesday held signs reading, “Keep predators behind bars,” and, “Don’t release child rapists,” while lawmakers argued the case reflects broader failures in California’s criminal justice system.
“We’re here today because something is deeply wrong, and Californians know it,” Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez said. “This is not justice — it is a failure of leadership.”
Gonzalez, who said he was molested as a child, described the lasting impact of abuse and warned that releasing offenders like Vogelsang sends a damaging message.
“It doesn’t end with the crime, it follows you,” he said. “It sends a message that their pain, their trauma — my trauma — is negotiable.”
State Sen. Roger Niello said lawmakers have heard extensively from victims and families who oppose the release.
“We’ve heard from victims,” Niello said. “Anyone who can hear those stories and remain unmoved is as uncaring as the parole officers are.”
Republican lawmakers emphasized the issue as one of public safety rather than partisan politics.
“This is not a partisan issue. It’s not red or blue — it’s a public safety issue,” Grove said.
Speakers also directed criticism at Newsom, arguing his administration has the authority to influence parole board appointments and broader policy direction.
Greg Totten, CEO of the California District Attorneys Association, said state leadership could take steps to address concerns raised by the case.
“There are many avenues to fixing this problem,” Totten said. “Leadership just needs to pursue them.”
Under California law, the governor can review certain parole decisions and appoint members to the parole board, though the process is governed by legal standards meant to balance rehabilitation with public safety.
Gonzalez was asked about the rising cost of keeping people incarcerated for long periods of time.
“I don’t give a damn about the rising costs,” Gonzalez said. “I give a damn about the victims.”
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