SACRAMENTO — Republican members of the California Legislature will hold a media availability and rally Wednesday morning ahead of a Board of Parole Hearings proceeding reviewing the planned release of convicted child predator Gregory Lee Vogelsang.
Vogelsang was convicted in 1999 of dozens of child molestation charges involving five boys, including kidnapping. He received a sentence of 355 years to life in prison and has served 27 years. The Board of Parole Hearings granted him parole in November, a decision that has raised serious concerns among lawmakers and community members.
The case has renewed scrutiny of California’s Elderly Parole Program, which allows individuals age 50 and older who have served at least 20 years in prison to be considered for parole.
Assemblyman Josh Hoover issued the following statement: “The Parole Board has failed to protect our community and is putting more children at risk by allowing these monsters to walk free. Make no mistake, the early release of these heinous criminals is a policy choice that Governor Newsom and the Supermajority made when they established the current Elderly Parole Program. The only way for the Governor to make it right is to replace the Parole Board with members who value public safety and undo the misguided policies that made these releases possible.”
The event will take place shortly before the parole board’s scheduled en banc hearing reviewing Vogelsang’s case. Legislative members will discuss legislation being introduced to prevent early release of predators.
WHO
- Assemblyman Josh Hoover
- Assemblyman David Tangipa
- Assemblyman Tom Lackey
- Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez
- Assemblyman Joe Patterson
- Senator Brian Jones
- Senator Shannon Grove
- Senator Roger Niello
- Anne Marie Schubert, former Sacramento County District Attorney
- John McGinness, former Sacramento County Sheriff
- Community members and victims’ advocates
WHAT
Media Availability and Rally on the Early Release of Gregory Lee Vogelsang
WHEN
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Media Availability / Rally — 8:15 AM
Parole Board Hearing — 9:00 AM
WHERE
Sidewalk outside the Board of Parole Hearings Office
1515 K Street
Sacramento, CA
HOW
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the rally and participate in the parole hearing process.
For media inquiries, please contact George Andrews at
George.Andrews@asm.ca.gov or 650-255-0785.