Winter’s Rapist Recommended for Parole under State’s Elder Parole Hearing Process – Israel Ceja was convicted of 20 counts of Forcible Rape and other charges in 2000

(Woodland, CA) - February 5, 2026 - Convicted rapist Israel Ceja was recommended for elder parole last week by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. The hearing took place virtually.

In 1993, Ceja married the victim's mother and began participating in bathing the victim, who was then 11 years old. He began molesting her and she was in fear that she would be removed from her mother's care if she reported sexual abuse, again. The defendant knew a former boyfriend of her mother had sexually abused the victim, leading her to be removed from the home. The defendant's abuse progressed and continued until the victim fainted in public in 1999 and was taken to the hospital where it was discovered she was pregnant. The DNA of the fetus confirmed the defendant was the genetic father. Investigation determined that he had tried to make her jump from the house and a truck ramp to try to induce miscarriage. Additionally in July of 1999, after coming home intoxicated from a party, he had pointed a gun at the victim, accused her of looking at other men, then pulled the trigger. Fortunately, it did not fire, and the victim was able to escape.

On September 29, 2000, a Yolo County jury convicted Ceja of multiple counts of forcible rape, assault with a firearm, child endangerment and lewd acts. On November 1, 2000, the Honorable Timothy Fall sentenced Ceja to 139 years in state prison.

The Elderly Parole Program in California allows inmates who are 50 years or older, and have served at least 20 years in prison, or those who are 60 and have served 25 years, to be considered for release from prison. However, certain offenders, such as those sentenced to death or life without parole, are excluded consideration. Ceja is 63 years old and had served 26 ½ years in custody at the time of this hearing. He had previously waived his first Elder Parole hearing in 2022, to enable him to do further programing and work on himself.

Commissioner Neil Schneider and Deputy Commissioner Letizia Pinitore agreed that Mr. Ceja no longer poses an unreasonable risk to society if released. Commissioner Schneider explained that his age, his extensive programing, numerous laudatory notes, lack of misconduct while incarcerated, his lower Static-99 score (sexual re-offense risk rating) and Criminal Risk Assessment, as well as his "genuine" plans for parole, that were very "authentic and real," all led to the joint decision to recommend him for parole. The case now goes to the Governor to review the Parole Board's decision. The Governor will make the final decision to accept or reject the parole recommendation. Attempts to locate and contact the victim were not successful and she was not present for the hearing. The Yolo County District Attorney's Office attended the hearing and opposed Mr. Ceja's release. Mr. Ceja will be subject to terms and conditions on parole and is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

"California law allows for inmates serving life, or the equivalent of life as in this case, to be considered for parole. Based on his age, the length of time served in custody, and the positive work he has done, the commissioners believed Mr. Ceja did not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety," said Chief DDA Melinda Aiello.

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