Youth volunteer convicted of sexually assaulting young boys in Fresno seeks parole

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man who sexually assaulted several young boys while volunteering with Fresno youth groups was denied parole Friday, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said.

On May 26, 2007, Jamie William Soria (now 54) was convicted on nine felony counts of sexual assault including one count of sodomy for sexually abusing four young boys, according to the DA.

At the time of his arrest, the DA says Soria had been volunteering with youth groups at local schools and a large Fresno church – for the past 14 years. 

He was sentenced to 63 years to life in prison for his crimes; however, California’s “Elderly Parole” provision allows inmates 50 and over who have served at least 20 years to be eligible for Elderly Parole. 

During the parole hearing, the DA says several of Soria’s victims and their relatives spoke against his release, citing the lasting damage of his actions.

The Parole Board agreed with Fresno County DA’s representative and the victims that Soria remains a danger to the community and issued a seven-year denial. However, under current law, Soria can seek to advance his next hearing date and not wait the full seven years before seeking release, according to the DA.

The DA says they will “continue to seek justice on behalf of the victims and citizens of Fresno County at his next hearing, despite existing loopholes in the law.” For the time being, Soria remains incarcerated at Avenal State Prison.