Early Release Denied for Child Molester Serving Life Sentence

On March 19, 2024, TCDA prosecutors successfully argued against the early release of Luis Gonzalez, age 76, despite his 2010 violent felony criminal conviction and a 195 years-to-life sentence for the aggravated sexual assault of two children between 2002 and 2006. Gonzalez petitioned the court for compassionate release.

TCDA victim advocates assisted 20 family members of the victims in court with many submitting victim impact statements advocating against the defendant’s release.

Gonzalez’s hearing was possible due to Assembly Bill 960. Approved in September 2022, the bill amends Penal Code sections 1170 and 1170.02, and adds section 1172.2 to the Penal Code to change the criteria for compassionate release of eligible incarcerated persons. These provisions require CDCR to recommend to the court that an incarcerated person’s sentence be recalled if that person is permanently medically incapacitated or has a serious and advanced illness with an end-of-life trajectory. These changes took effect on January 1, 2023.

“It is preposterous that the family had to return to court to relive this trauma again only a short fourteen years into a 195 year-to-life sentence,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “Once again, the Legislature has eroded truth in sentencing in California. My office will continue to stand with victims and survivors and together we will push back on the radical and dangerous schemes to release violent and dangerous criminals, such as this child molester, early.”

Gonzalez is currently serving his sentence at the California Substance Abuse Facility in Corcoran.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494