Early parole rescinded for convicted child molester

A convicted serial child molester's early parole was rescinded during a hearing after members of the public and many regional lawmakers expressed outrage over his release. Greg Vogelsang will remain in prison after a hearing on Friday, June 26, with the California Board of Parole Hearings. This hearing was scheduled after members of the Board of Parole Hearings made a controversial decision in November 2025 to grant Vogelsang early parole under the state's Elderly Parole law. After public outcry over this decision, a new hearing was scheduled to revisit that decision. Lawmakers representing the Folsom and Placer County regions geared up for that hearing to speak out over the potential for Vogelsang's release. Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) and Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) alerted the communities they represent the California Board of Parole Hearings would be holding a rescission hearing regarding elderly parole for Vogelsang, 57. Vogelsang was sentenced to more than 350 years in prison for molesting at least six boys between the ages of 5 and 11 in the Sacramento area in the 1990s. After serving 27 years of his sentence, Vogelsang was granted early parole due to the state's Elderly Parole law in November. Crime victims, victim family members and other members of the community spoke out over the decision, prompting a larger group of the Parole Board to review the decision on June 26. On the heels of this hearing, Senator Niello delivered a letter to the Board of Parole Hearings, urging them to prioritize public safety and rescind its grant of parole for Vogelsang. "Mr. Vogelsang is a repeat child predator whose actions caused immeasurable harm to vulnerable victims and their families," Niello wrote in his letter to the board. "As you review this case, I ask that you consider not only the offender, but the victims and the lasting trauma inflicted upon them. Consider the message that his release would send to survivors, their families, and communities that rely on the justice system to protect them." Assemblyman Hoover sent a letter to constituents before the hearing, urging concerned residents to express their strong opposition to the parole of Vogelsang by calling 916-445-4072 to contact the California Board of Parole Hearings directly to make their voices heard. While in prison, evaluations of Vogelsang found he posed a greater risk to the public than 80 percent of other sexual offenders. He also remained sexually attracted to young boys between ages 5 and 11 as recently as 2020. "The consequences of a wrong decision in this case are irreversible. If another child becomes a victim, there is no chance to undo that harm. Public safety must remain the board's highest priority. For all these reasons, I respectfully request that the board rescind Mr. Vogelsang's parole," Niello's letter concluded. "We must put a stop to the release of violent predators back into our community," wrote Hoover in a letter. "I encourage you to make your voice heard on this important issue." After the hearing, the California Department of Corrections acknowledged Vogelsang would not be released but a parole suitability hearing is tentatively set for October 2026, according to https://ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov/. Vogelsang is currently serving his sentence at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.