Lackey and Hoover introduce bill to stop continued release of child sex offenders

Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, and Assemblyman Hoover, R-Folsom, have introduced legislation to stop the early release of serial child molesters under California’s Elderly Parole Program.  

The move comes in response to the parole board’s granting of early release to serial child molesters under the state’s “elderly parole” law. 

“I am disgusted that the parole board has granted early release to another serial child molester. We need to reform our elderly parole program and evict everyone on the parole board that supported another shameful release,” Hoover said in a news release sent by Lackey’s office. “I am pleased to join Assemblyman Lackey to increase the age for elderly parole from 50 to 65 to ensure that these monsters stay behind bars where they belong.” 

“Fifty years old is not elderly. Not even close,” Lackey, whose district includes some eastern portions of the Santa Clarita Valley, said in the release. “Just because someone turns 50 does not mean they are rehabilitated. We’re talking about releasing people who committed the worst crimes imaginable. That is unacceptable. Fifty years old cannot be the reason we let violent predators out of prison.” 

Gregory Vogelsang, who molested more than five children in Citrus Heights, was recently granted elderly parole, the release said. Vogelsang was originally sentenced to more than 300 years in prison. 

David Allen Funston, another convicted child molester, was also granted early release despite admitting he still experiences pedophilic urges, the release said.  

Both offenders were granted release under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that lowered the eligibility age for elderly parole to 50 years old. 

Lackey and Hoover’s Assembly Bill 2570 would raise the minimum age for elderly parole eligibility to 65.  

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