By Sara Beth Williams–
Assemblymember Josh Hoover is urging residents to rally against the possible release of convicted sex offender Gregory Vogelsang, following a recent decision by the California Board of Parole Hearings to grant elderly parole to the inmate sentenced for crimes committed against children in Citrus Heights.
According to Hoover’s office, Vogelsang, now 57, was sentenced to more than 350 years in prison after being convicted in a case involving child sexual abuse in Citrus Heights. The parole board’s initial decision will now undergo an en banc review on Wednesday, when a larger panel of board members is scheduled to reconsider whether Vogelsang should be released.
The possible early release has drawn widespread attention across regional television and print news outlets in recent weeks, including the Sacramento Bee, who have reported on community concerns surrounding elderly parole for violent offenders. Sacramento County officials including Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper and Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho have publicly spoken out against the parole review board.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday at 1515 K Street, Suite 550, in Sacramento. Hoover is also calling for a public rally beginning at 8 a.m. outside the hearing location, followed by a press conference at 8:15 a.m. focused on proposed legislation aimed at tightening California’s parole rules for violent offenders.
Hoover said the case highlights broader concerns over how California handles parole eligibility for inmates convicted of violent sexual offenses.
In his letter to constituents, Hoover listed multiple proposed bills that will help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
Among the legislative proposals Hoover highlighted is AB 2342, which would allow the governor to reverse parole decisions involving violent felonies, similar to existing authority in murder cases.
Hoover is also co-authoring AB 2570 with Assemblymember Tom Lackey, which would raise the minimum age for elderly parole eligibility from 50 to 65. Another measure, SB 1278, authored with Senator Roger Niello, would exclude certain serious crimes, including sex offenses, from elderly parole eligibility. SB 906, introduced by Senator Brian Jones, would require parole board votes to be made public.
“We must put a stop to the release of violent predators back into our community,” Hoover said in a statement urging public participation.
Residents unable to attend in person may leave comments by phone at 916-445-4072, Hoover’s office said.
Hoover represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova, as well as the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.
