| For Immediate Release
October 11, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
PAROLE DENIED FOR MAN WHO KIDNAPPED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED 6-YEAR-OLD, MOLESTED TWO OTHER CHILDREN, AND ATTEMPTED TO MOLEST A FOURTH
SANTA ANA –The Board of Parole Hearings (Board), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, denied the parole today for a man convicted of kidnapping and raping a child, molesting two other children, and attempting to molest a fourth. Drew David Lambert, 32, formerly of Irvine, is currently being held at California Correctional Institute in Tehachapi, CA. Lambert was sentenced Aug. 2, 1996, to 15 years to life in state prison for felonies including one count each of kidnapping for child molest, forcible lewd act upon a child, attempted lewd act upon a child, and two felony counts of lewd act upon a child. Assistant District Attorney Rosanne Froeberg originally prosecuted this case.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Gundy appeared at the hearing to oppose Lambert’s parole. Before denying his parole, the Board took into consideration the facts of the case, Lambert’s criminal history, his lack of rehabilitation, and his repeat offenses, which make him a threat to public safety. Lambert will be eligible for his next parole hearing in 2016.
Kidnap and Sexual Assault of 6-year-old Jane Doe #1
On the afternoon of Aug. 16, 1995, then-16-year-old Lambert was on his way to a psychotherapist appointment and stopped first at Super Crown Bookstore in Laguna Niguel. Lambert spotted 6-year-old Jane Doe #1 alone in the children’s section of the store, where he approached her and used a children’s book to gain her attention. Lambert then yanked Jane Doe #1 by the hand, took her into the men’s restroom, and locked the door behind them. Lambert then removed his and the victim’s pants and underwear, and positioned Jane Doe #1 on his lap as he began to masturbate. When the victim began to cry for her mother, Lambert quickly dressed himself and left the victim in the bathroom alone.
Jane Doe #1 was found crying outside of the restroom area by a concerned shopper. Police arrived at the scene and were able to positively match Lambert’s fingerprints, which were obtained from a prior unrelated arrest, to the children’s book used to engage the victim. Lambert was arrested Aug. 28, 1995, and he was tried as an adult for his offenses.
Molestation of Two Children and Attempted Molestation of Another
On Dec. 22, 1994, 6-year-old Jane Doe #2 and her 7-year-old friend, Jane Doe #3, were playing in the arcade section of a Laguna Niguel restaurant as their parents dined. Lambert approached the children and asked them to sit on his lap one at a time. Once on his lap, Lambert began to inappropriately touch the children and also exposed himself to Jane Doe #2. Lambert fled the scene when he heard the parents of the victims call for them.