ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision has denied parole for convicted murderer and child rapist Dustin Wallace following an emotional hearing centered on the 2010 rape and murder of 5-year-old Sahara Dwight in Roseburg.
In a joint statement released Thursday, Douglas County District Attorney Rick Wesenberg and Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice said the board determined Wallace was not suitable for release and ordered that he wait 10 years—the maximum period allowed under state law—before becoming eligible for another parole hearing.
According to officials, Wallace acknowledged during the hearing that he was not ready to return to society. The board subsequently concluded that parole was not appropriate at this time.
Wallace was convicted in 2010 for the rape and murder of Sahara Dwight, a crime that prosecutors and local officials have described as one of the most devastating in Douglas County history. He was originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
However, in 2021, then-Gov. Kate Brown commuted the sentences of several individuals convicted of murder and other violent crimes under Senate Bill 1008, making them eligible for parole consideration. Wallace was among those whose sentence was commuted.
Wesenberg and Boice attended the parole hearing along with State Rep. Virgle Osborne, State Sen. Christine Drazen, and State Sen. David Brock-Smith. The officials expressed support for the board’s decision and praised Sahara’s family and loved ones for their continued advocacy throughout the parole process.
“No decision can restore what was taken from Sahara’s family or erase the profound grief this tragedy has caused,” Wesenberg said in the statement. “The brutal murder of this innocent child remains one of the most heartbreaking and impactful crimes in Douglas County’s history. Today’s decision acknowledges the gravity of that crime and reinforces the importance of protecting our community.”
Wesenberg also said Sahara’s family “should never have been forced to relive this painful chapter through the parole process.”
The statement further thanked victims’ advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and community members who supported the family and worked to ensure the victim’s voice was represented during the proceedings.
“Douglas County will always stand with victims and their families,” Boice said. “We remain committed to protecting public safety, supporting survivors, and ensuring accountability within Oregon’s criminal justice system.”
Officials said their thoughts remain with Sahara Dwight’s family as the community continues to honor her memory.
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