Convicted Child Molester Denied Parole

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate Nathan Stephens, 60 years old previously of Santa Rosa, was given a five year denial of parole by the State of California Board of Parole Hearings following a hearing on March 26, 2019 at Avenal State Prison, in Avenal California.

Stephens is currently serving a one hundred and thirty-four year sentence for the continuous sexual assault of three children under the age of fourteen, who the inmate had repeated access to over a period of five years.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “This inmate was a clear danger to the community at the time of his offenses and he remains a clear danger to this day. Fortunately, the Board agreed with our position and as a result he will remain incarcerated for the next several years.”

Stephens was convicted by jury in 1992 on twenty separate counts and sentenced to the maximum term allowable. At the time of his sentencing Stephens was not eligible for parole until 2059, but under recently passed legislation he became eligible to have a hearing based upon his “elderly status”.

Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney Laura Passaglia appeared on behalf of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office and argued that Stephens should remain confined as he continues to pose a danger to the community despite his age. Following a contested hearing, the parole board determined that Stephens continues to pose an unreasonable risk to society if released early and denied his petition. He will be eligible for reconsideration in five years.