Justice Delivered in a Case That Exposes Deep Flaws in the Criminal Justice System
Colorado Springs, CO — In a devastating example of justice delayed and tragically denied, the State of Colorado has finally sentenced convicted sex offender Gregory Alan Whittemore to 70 years in prison for the brutal rape and murder of 25-year-old Allison Scarfone. This ruling comes after a wave of public outrage, intensified by the fact that Whittemore committed the crime less than a week after being granted parole.
A Systemic Failure with Fatal Consequences
At the time of the murder in October 2022, Whittemore was on parole for a previous sexual assault conviction. Despite having already violated an earlier parole agreement, he was inexplicably released back into the community. The court had originally sentenced Whittemore to two separate indeterminate terms—10 years to life and later, five years to life—for sexual offenses. Yet, he remained a free man.
Upon his release, he was placed under electronic monitoring and assigned to daily check-ins and sex offender treatment programs. These measures, however, proved woefully inadequate. Within days, Whittemore lured Allison Scarfone to his home, where he perpetrated an act of unspeakable violence.
Details of the Crime: A Calculated Act of Depravity
According to court records and statements from the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, an argument between Scarfone and Whittemore escalated after she reportedly called him a “rapist.” Whittemore responded with a violent assault: he struck her, forcibly removed her clothing, raped her, and then strangled and smothered her to death. He concealed her lifeless body inside a black plastic tote, which he stored in his garage.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault, charges that underscored the premeditated and brutal nature of the crime.
Judicial Rebuke of Early Release Decisions
During sentencing on May 22, 2025, El Paso County District Court Judge Samuel Evig condemned the failures that allowed Whittemore’s release. “Allison Scarfone deserved to live a long and fruitful life, yet she was brutally murdered by a violent sex offender who should have been in prison,” Judge Evig stated. “This criminal justice system must do better to protect members of this community.”
Evig’s words echo a broader sentiment sweeping across the nation: that the early release of violent offenders, particularly those with histories of sexual violence, must be reconsidered.
The Scarfone Family Speaks Out: “The System Failed Her”
Scarfone’s family, devastated by the loss, issued a statement highlighting the preventable nature of her death. “Allison was vibrant, kind, and full of promise,” said her sister. “She was stolen from us by a man who should never have been released. The system failed her at every level.”
Legal Oversight and the Parole System Under Fire
Whittemore’s case is not isolated. It is emblematic of broader flaws in the parole system and offender monitoring mechanisms. Despite advanced tools like GPS monitoring and mandatory counseling, enforcement and follow-up have been severely lacking.
Parallel Case in Texas Highlights Nationwide Problem
In a related development, federal authorities in Texas have sentenced Ronnie Craig Lance, a previously convicted sex offender, to 20 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Lance’s devices contained nearly 1,400 videos and over 71,000 images of child sexual abuse material. He had been previously convicted in 2011 and received a sentence of 87 months.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at identifying and removing child predators from society. Lance was also ordered to pay $140,000 in restitution and will remain under lifetime supervision after his release.
Closing the Loopholes: Legislative Reform Is Urgently Needed
Both cases exemplify an alarming trend: violent and high-risk sex offenders cycling through the justice system with insufficient oversight. Experts and lawmakers alike are calling for:
- Mandatory minimum sentences for violent sex crimes
- Elimination of parole eligibility for repeat offenders
- Increased transparency in parole board decisions
- Federal monitoring of high-risk individuals, even after state release
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call to Lawmakers and Communities
The 70-year sentence handed down to Gregory Alan Whittemore may offer a sliver of justice for Allison Scarfone’s family, but it does not erase the profound systemic failures that enabled her murder. Public confidence in the criminal justice system hinges on its ability to protect the most vulnerable. The Scarfone case serves as a grim reminder that reforms are not just necessary—they are overdue.