Sexually Violent Predator Will Not Move to High Desert

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) issued the following statement after Ventura County Superior Court Judge Nancy Ayers ruled that Ross Wollschlager will not be placed in Joshua Tree.

The 56-year-old felon was convicted in Ventura County in the 1980s on counts of rape, rape by false pretenses, and lewd and lascivious acts on a 10-year-old child. Sacramento County opposed Wollschlager’s release in August and his placement was rejected there.

“The residents of Joshua Tree can breathe a sigh of relief now that the ruling has been determined by Judge Ayers and this convicted rapist will not be living in our community near our families and children. The convicted sexually violent predator has no ties to the high desert so there were no extraordinary circumstances to release him to a community where he did not have any connections. I thank Judge Ayers for listening to the concerns of the residents here, understanding their fears, and ruling to not place the convicted felon in this community,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.

In October, Senator Grove delivered a letter to Judge Ayers outlining her opposition to the convicted felon’s placement in the high desert. Click here to read Senator Grove’s letter.