MERCED, Calif. (KMPH) -
A Merced father is outraged that a convicted sex offender accused of almost raping his daughter was released from the Merced County Jail just days before the attack.
Police say 45-year-old Gabriel Fuentes was released early due to overcrowding as part of Assembly Bill 109, the state's prison realignment law.
The father of the woman says, "It's not working. These are cold blooded people because they put a great threat to the people, and should have never been released."
He says thanks to AB 109, inmates with a history of serious offenses who would normally be sent to prison for violating their parole may be released after only a few weeks.
When you take a closer look at the 45-year-old's criminal history, court records show in 1992, Fuentes was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
He was sentenced to three years in prison.
Since then, he's been arrested for parole violations.
In 2010, he was arrested on drugs and weapon charges.
He got parole.
Last month, he was arrested again for not checking in with his parole officer; he was sentenced to 100 days in jail.
He spent 23 days in jail before being released due to overcrowding.
Merced Police Lt. Bimley West says, "Is it working to the benefit of the public or the benefit of the budget?"
Lt. Bimley West who's been on the force for 26 years says these early released paroles have no fear of the law, because they know it won't be long until they are set free.
Lt. Bimley West says, "They get out and they attack our officers. They are a little bit more aggressive towards our officers. They don't mind fighting our officers. Not only that they are victimizing our victims over and over again."
