Sonora Sex Offender Denied Parole

Sonora, CA – Convicted three decades ago for raping a child,  now 70, Albert Sydney Ward, formerly of Sonora, was found by the state board unsuitable for parole.

Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Krieg reports Ward’s hearing was held Wednesday at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, in San Diego. Via teleconference, Deputy District Attorney Cassandra A. Jenecke and Victim Witness Advocate Christine Miller testified at the hearing. In a press release, DA Krieg states, “DDA Jenecke argued for continued confinement, based on Ward’s ‘lack of insight, lack of viable parole plans, lack of remorse, his admission to habitual lying, and a diagnosed high risk for violent recidivism.’ The Board of Prison Hearings agreed, and denied Ward parole for 10 years.”

Krieg’s office reports that, in 1985, a jury convicted Ward of six counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 14 years of age, with force and violence, and three counts of rape with resistance, force, or violence. Ward, sentenced to 75 years, was allowed to go before the parole board under the elder parole early-release program, due to the fact he is over 60 and served at least 25 years of his sentence. According to the D.A.’s office, Ward’s next chance for parole will be in 2024.