California parole board denies convicted Woodland child molester, 77, for fifth time
A 77-year-old Woodland man convicted for child molestation will remain in prison after being denied parole this week, the inmate’s fifth denial in the more than two decades since his incarceration.
Michael Ward was found guilty by a jury of lewd or lascivious acts upon two girls under age 14, and sentenced in October 1997 to 15 years to life in prison.
In a Wednesday hearing, California Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner Michelle Minor denied Ward parole, stating that the man “still poses an unreasonable risk to public safety,” according to a news release by the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.
Minor further said that Ward continues to minimize his role in the crimes, “doesn’t understand the grooming behavior he utilizes, and he has unrealistic parole plans,” the DA’s office wrote, summarizing the commissioner’s statements.
Ward was convicted after sending pornographic photographs via mail to an undercover special agent in Utah in 1996. A search warrant then linked Ward to “two young girls whom he had photographed and molested,” the news release said.
Ward also admitted to authorities that he molested “numerous” other young children in Woodland, according to the DA’s office.
The mother of one victim was present at this week’s parole hearing, the news release said.
“The result of a three-year denial means that the victim and her family’s wish, that Mr. Ward remain imprisoned for the safety of the children in our community, was met,” District Attorney Jeff Reisig said in a written statement.
Ward is imprisoned at California Health Care Facility the state prison in Stockton for aging or chronically ill inmates. He will next be eligible for parole in three years, at age 80.
