'Southwest molester' is denied parole Article courtesy of Huntsville Times Ministers speak for Dejnozka; victim, police oppose him 03/29/04 By WENDY REEVES Times Staff Writer wendyr@htimes.com MONTGOMERY - Today a man who terrorized Huntsville residents 24 years ago was denied parole during a hearing before the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. Known in Huntsville as the "southwest molester," John Paul Dejnozka, 60, was sentenced in 1980 to 830 consecutive years in prison on rape, burglary and assault charges. After the board deliberated less than five minutes this morning, Chairman Sidney Williams announced that Dejnozka's parole request was denied. His next parole hearing will be March 2009. Toni, Dejnozka's first victim, handed the board a green folder filled with petitions against his release. "I started alone, but I stand before you now with 2,054 names obtained in less than a month opposing Dejnozka's release," said Toni, who asked that her last name not be used. Dejnozka has served just over 24 years of his sentence. "I've already served 26 years," she said, breaking into tears. Regaining her composure, she said, "There's no parole for me." Dejnozka was convicted in 1974 of a sex-related crime in Illinois and sentenced to 12 years. He was paroled in 1977 and moved to Huntsville late that year. At least 18 women between the ages of 16 and 30 were sexually assaulted and often tortured when Dejnozka broke into homes and apartments in 1978-79. Prisoners not serving a life-without-parole sentence are generally eligible for parole in 10 years or after serving a third of their sentence, whichever comes first. After that, they can reapply for parole every three years. Dejnozka has been denied parole at least four times. William Dixon, with a Catholic prison ministries organization, told the board he met Dejnozka six years ago at Holman Prison in Mobile. "In that time he's certainly put forth a lot of effort to turn his personal life around." Dejnozka, who had not been attending any church services, attended a Catholic service at Dixon's invitation and renewed his Catholic faith, Dixon said. Raymond Martin, also from the prison ministries group, said Dejnozka has attended every Thursday and Saturday religious service for the last five years. He also said Dejnozka teaches GED classes. Other victims and Huntsville police investigators also attended the hearing. Huntsville police investigator Wayne Sharp, who worked on the investigation, said before the hearing he believes Dejnozka is still dangerous. "The attacks were progressively getting more violent," he said. Sharp told the board Dejnozka was a computer programmer and an Amway salesman who wasn't as successful as he thought he should be. Sharp said Dejnozka told investigators he hurt the women because he wanted someone to hurt as much as he was hurting. Criminal profilers said prison would not change Dejnozka, Sharp said before the hearing. "The profilers said he would be the same when he got out as he was before he went in," Sharp said. "I've always said until he dies or I do, I'll keep going down there to oppose his release." Dixon said his group's members do not attend parole hearings unless an inmate merits consideration. After hearing Toni's testimony, Dixon said, it was clear to him that Toni was more in prison than Dejnozka. Dixon said Dejnozka needs more time in prison, but at some point, the victims need to forgive "because I realize they'll not forget." Dixon said he wasn't surprised at the decision, but that he and Martin wanted to speak about Dejnozka's progress over the past five or six years. Martin said, "We do what God tells us to do."