From Sandy Louey:
A 66-year-old convicted child molester who was convicted for crimes in Woodland was denied parole for 10 years Thursday.
Michael Ward, of Woodland, was denied after a hearing before the Board of Terms at Deuel Vocational Institute in Tracy, according to a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney's Office.
The 10-year denial imposed was done under Proposition 9, which voters approved in November. Proposition 9 allows corrections authorities to put off parole hearings on lifers by up to 15 years in some cases.
Ward was convicted of child molestation involving two young girls in Woodland in 1996.
He had sent pornographic Polaroid photographs through the mail to an undercover Utah special agent. A search warrant was obtained and other evidence was found linking him to two girls whom he photographed and molested, the DA's office said.
Ward has admitted to molesting other young girls, the DA's office said.
He was sentenced in 1997 to 15 years to life for lewd and lascivious act upon a child under 14 with more than one victim.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Kelli Brooksby appeared at Thursday's hearing on behalf of the DA's office.
Brooksby argued against Ward's release based upon his prior record, lack of insight into his criminal behavior, lack of parole plans and continuing danger to the public.
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