California’s Elder Parole Law is Letting Another Child Predator out of Prison
Why is California’s Parole Board So Clueless and Irresponsible
Israel Ceja, convicted in 2000 of 20 counts of forcible rape along with assault with a firearm, child endangerment, and lewd acts against his 11-year-old stepdaughter, was recommended for early release on January 29, 2026, by a two-commissioner panel of California’s Board of Parole Hearings under the state’s Elder Parole Law. Ceja, who was 63 and had served 26½ years of a 139-year sentence, began abusing the victim shortly after marrying her mother in 1993; the abuse escalated over nearly a decade, resulting in her pregnancy (confirmed by DNA as his), attempts to force a miscarriage, and a 1999 incident in which he pointed a loaded gun at her. The victim was not present at the virtual hearing, where the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office opposed parole.
The commissioners, Neil Schneider and Letizia Pinitore, ruled that Ceja no longer posed an unreasonable risk to public safety, citing his age, extensive programming, clean disciplinary record, low recidivism scores, and “authentic” parole plans. During the hearing, Ceja acknowledged a “disorder” involving attraction to young girls and stated that prayer is his primary method of controlling those urges. The panel described him as an “excellent citizen.”
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig strongly condemned the decision in a March 13, 2026, letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to review and reverse the recommendation, calling the release “monstrous” and incompatible with public safety. The case now rests with Newsom, whose appointees serve on the parole board. Separately, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen has introduced AB 2727 to exclude the most serious sex offenders from Elder Parole eligibility or raise the age and time-served thresholds for others.
This isn't the first child predator that has been scheduled for release by the Parole Board due to California's dangerous and irresponsible Elder Parole Law. An excerpt from the statement is below as well as a link to the full statement.
Mar 16, 2026
Israel Ceja was convicted of 20 counts of Forcible Rape and other charges in 2000. On January 29, 2026, he was recommended for parole by a two-commissioner panel
(Woodland, CA) – March 16, 2026 – On Friday March 13, 2026, the Yolo County District Attorney submitted a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom urging to him to take action and have the decision recommending parole for this convicted child rapist reviewed and reversed. Israel Ceja was recommended for elder parole in late January by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. The hearing took place virtually. READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE>>>
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