Staunton man convicted of 1990 rape and robbery granted parole after 32 years

The Virginia Parole Board has granted parole to John Michael Moran Jr., who was convicted of rape and robbery in Staunton, according to the board's September 2026 decisions report.

The board's September report lists Moran, 56, as granted discretionary parole, with a decision date of Sept. 11 and certification on Sept. 14. His record shows robbery and rape convictions in Staunton Circuit Court dated Oct. 22, 1990, each with a 20-year sentence; grand larceny and breaking-and-entering convictions in Augusta County Circuit Court dated Dec. 6, 1990; a simple assault conviction in Augusta County General District Court in 1991; and a Parole Board violation entry dated Dec. 13, 2021, carrying 16 years and 4 days. The report estimates he has served 32 years, 3 months and 27 days.

This newsroom could not locate contemporaneous news coverage or an appellate opinion describing the 1990 Staunton offenses, so the facts here are limited to the board record. In keeping with this newsroom's policy, no victim of a sexual offense is identified.

Prior and repeat offenses: Besides the Staunton rape and robbery, the record lists two grand larceny counts, breaking and entering and simple assault in Augusta County, and the 2021 parole violation, which indicates Moran was previously released and returned to prison. The record does not describe the violation. Board Member Valerie Boykin said he had been infraction-free since 2023.

The board's stated reasons: The board's listed reasons included demonstrated rehabilitation, infraction-free conduct, clear acceptance of responsibility, correctional and vocational programs, stable family relationships, reduced dynamic risk factors, a low risk-assessment score, positive leadership roles, no victim opposition, a stable release plan, faith or community programs, prosocial service, release being compatible with public safety, vocational achievements and insight into the factors behind the crime.

The Sept. 10 minutes record a 4-0 vote. The board's Victim Services team said that "after exhaustive efforts, they have been unable to connect with the victims in this case." The written report nonetheless lists "no victim opposition" among the reasons. Chair Shannon Dion cited verified employment or vocational opportunity and stable family relationships.

How the decision was made: At the Sept. 10 meeting, held in person and electronically at the board's offices on Atmore Drive in Richmond, each candidate addressed the board by teleconference after a summary of victim input, and Chair Shannon Dion then called on each member to vote and state reasons, according to the minutes, which the board approved on Oct. 1. The September report notes that the offenses it lists include all offenses for which a person has been serving time, whether or not they are parole-eligible.

Crime trends in Staunton: According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services report "Virginia Index Crime and Drug Arrest Trends 2016-2025," published in August 2026 using Virginia State Police crime repository data, Staunton recorded 167.7 violent index crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, compared with 177.2 in 2016, down 5% over the decade. Its property crime rate was 1,308.0 per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 2,154.9 in 2016, down 39%. Nearby, Augusta County recorded 91.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 8% from 99.5 in 2016, and 772.1 property crimes per 100,000, down 23% from 996.3. Statewide, DCJS reported 210.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 7% from 2024 and 14% from 2023; the median rate among Virginia's counties and independent cities was 172.9. DCJS notes that the repository receives rolling updates, so the rates may be revised.

Across September, the board decided 85 parole cases and granted 7, according to its monthly decisions report, a grant rate of about 8.2% for the month, down from about 32% (14 of 44) in August. It denied the other 78. Separately, it decided four parole-violation cases, revoking parole in two, continuing parole in one and discharging one person from supervision. All seven grants were voted on at the board's Sept. 10 meeting, with four members present; Board Member Kevin White was absent, according to the approved minutes. All five current board members were appointed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on March 4, 2026, and confirmed by the General Assembly in March.

Parole in Virginia is supervised release: the board sets conditions and can revoke parole and return a person to prison for violations, as it did in two revocation cases in September. The board's report does not give a release date or say where Moran will live.

Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley. Its county seat is Staunton, an independent city.

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov