Virginia Beach man convicted of 1996 sex offenses granted parole; three victims backed release, one opposed

The Virginia Parole Board has granted parole to Randy Edward Logsdon Jr., who was convicted of multiple counts of aggravated sexual battery and forcible sodomy in Virginia Beach, according to the board's August 2026 decisions report.

The board's August report lists Logsdon, 51, as granted discretionary parole, recorded Aug. 28 and certified Aug. 31. His record shows a Virginia Beach Circuit Court judgment dated March 26, 1996, listing 11 counts of aggravated sexual battery, each carrying 15 years with 10 suspended, and four counts of forcible sodomy, each carrying 50 years with 25 suspended. The report estimates he has served 31 years, 4 months and 18 days.

This newsroom did not find contemporaneous news coverage or a court opinion describing the case. The account here is limited to the board's record and minutes. Victims are not named, consistent with this publication's policy on sexual offenses and minor victims; the minutes refer to the victims' parents, and the record does not state the victims' ages.

Prior and repeat offenses: The board's record also lists three earlier convictions in Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court dated July 5, 1995: two for aggravated sexual battery and one for sodomy, each with a 12-month sentence. The board's listed reasons nonetheless include "No history of violence," and Board Member Tyrone Nelson cited "no previous felony convictions."

The board's stated reasons: The board's listed reasons included excellent institutional adjustment, no history of substance abuse, faith or community participation, stable family relationships, demonstrated rehabilitation, a documented support network, his age at the time of the offense, clear acceptance of responsibility, a structured reentry plan, community service, no victim opposition, significant community support, a low risk-assessment score, infraction-free conduct, the board's conclusion that he has served enough time, no history of violence and educational milestones.

According to the Aug. 27 minutes, "three victims and their parents support parole," while one victim opposed it, in a statement Victim Services Coordinator Cindy Yadav read. Logsdon addressed the board. The vote was 5-0. Members cited his participation in victim-offender dialogue and restorative practices; Vice Chair Kecia Brothers Hayes cited "minimal victim opposition."

How the decision was made: At the Aug. 27 meeting, held in person and electronically at the board's offices on Atmore Drive in Richmond, each candidate addressed the board by video after a summary of victim input, and Chair Shannon Dion then called on each member to vote and state reasons, according to the approved minutes. The board approved those minutes on Sept. 10. The August 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 Virginia Beach: 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, Virginia Beach recorded 98.5 violent index crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, compared with 155.9 in 2016, down 37% over the decade. Its property crime rate was 1,480.2 per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 2,186.5 in 2016, down 32%. 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 August, the board decided 44 parole cases and granted 14, according to its monthly decisions report, a grant rate of about 32% for the month. It denied the other 30. Separately, it held 10 parole-violation hearings, revoking parole in three, continuing parole in six and discharging one person from supervision. For historical context, the Virginia State Crime Commission reported discretionary-parole grant rates of 11% in 2018, 8% in 2019, 12% in 2020 and 8% through September 2021, and Bolts magazine reported a rate of about 1.6% in 2023. 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 it can revoke parole and return a person to prison for violations, as it did in three revocation cases this August. The board's report does not give a release date or say where Logsdon will live.

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.