A California pedophile who raped his underage stepdaughter and got her pregnant was ordered to remain behind bars — after he was previouslyrecommended for early paroleunder alaw supported by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Israel Ceja, 63, was set to walk free from San Quentin State Prison under Newsom’s elderly parole lawgranting freedom to older convicts, after a two-person panel from the state Board of Parole Hearings in January recommended early release from his 139-year sentence.
One of parole commissioners at the hearing who approved Ceja’s parole even acknowledged that the pedophile was still attracted to young girls, but said his sick thoughts could be overcome by prayer.
Ceja was the latest in astring of sickosset for early parole under the controversial 2020 legislation loosened by Newsom,prompting protestsfrom victims and law enforcement officials.
During Ceja’s January hearing, Parole Commissioner Neil Schneider mentioned the inmate’s plan to relocate to Mexico after his release, calling his intentions “authentic” and “very real,” according to Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig.
Schneider also noted Ceja’s admission that he is attracted to young girls, saying it is something that could be managed with prayer, Reisig said.
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Schneider couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, while a spokeswoman for Gov. Newsom declined to comment on the case.
At a press conference to protest Ceja’s parole last week, victim Roxanne Cruz, 42, tearfully begged the parole board not to release her tormentor.
“It’s not just little girls that he likes. He doesn’t care. He’ll go after little boys,” Cruz said.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
