Seven High Risk Sex Offenders Released Due to Pandemic

Although Orange County jails are not full, a court commissioner recently ordered the early release of seven high risk sex offenders because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Jessica De Nova of ABC news reports that all of the released criminals have previously violated parole, some several times.  The Sheriff told reporters that his jail population is down by 45% since March and that none of releases are related to measures taken to protect inmates from the virus.  “We have responsibly created the capacity need in the jail to house sex offenders and other dangerous criminals.”

In a press release,  Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer called those released “the most dangerous kind of criminal and the  most likely to re-offend.”  He noted that all seven of the released inmates have “done everything they can to avoid detection by parole officers……These are not the kind of people who should be getting a break.  As a result of these dangerous decisions not to follow the law, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office will not stipulate to appear in front of Commissioner Dane on parole violations involving registered sex offenders.”  Examples of those released include Jose Adrian Oregel who has convictions of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and assault with great bodily injury.  He has violated parole six times.  Rudy William Grajeda Magdaleno was also released although he has prior convictions for child molestation, assault and battery and elder abuse and has violated parole five times.  Few of the 3,500 criminals released early from California prisons and jails have been tested for Covid-19.