The upcoming release of convicted serial child molester David Allen Funston has ignited public and political backlash, raising a broader question now echoing across California communities: Does being 64 years old mean someone is no longer a danger to children?<\/p>\n
Funston, 64, is currently incarcerated at the California Institution for Men<\/span><\/span> in Chino. He was granted parole under California\u2019s Elderly Parole Program despite being sentenced in 1999 to three consecutive life terms plus an additional 20 years and eight months for a series of violent crimes against young children.<\/p>\n Between 1995 and 1996, Funston targeted children in Sacramento-area suburbs including North Highlands, Foothill Farms and Roseville. According to court records, he lured children \u2014 ages 3 to 7 \u2014 into his vehicle using candy, toys and Barbie dolls.<\/p>\n He was convicted on 16 felony counts involving eight victims \u2014 seven girls and one boy. The charges included kidnapping, forcible sexual assault and physical beatings.<\/p>\n At sentencing, the presiding judge described Funston as<\/p>\n \u201cthe monster parents fear the most,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n imposing three consecutive terms of 25 years to life.<\/p>\n Under California law, inmates who are 50 or older and have served at least 20 continuous years are eligible for a parole hearing. The program was designed to address aging prison populations and reduce incarceration costs.<\/p>\n Funston was denied parole in 2022. However, on Sept. 24, 2025, the California Board of Parole Hearings<\/span><\/span> found him suitable for release.<\/p>\n In January 2026, Gavin Newsom<\/span><\/span> requested a re-review of the decision. On Feb. 18, 2026, the board reaffirmed the grant of parole.<\/p>\n Under current California law, the governor cannot reverse parole decisions in non-homicide cases.<\/p>\n The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation<\/span><\/span> has not publicly disclosed Funston\u2019s exact release date or placement location, citing security concerns.<\/p>\n The decision has drawn sharp criticism from law enforcement and former prosecutors.<\/p>\n Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper condemned the parole decision, calling it \u201cdead wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAge does not erase predatory behavior,\u201d Cooper said in a public statement. \u201cThe risk to children remains.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Anne Marie Schubert, the former prosecutor who handled the case, has requested that Funston be evaluated under California\u2019s Sexually Violent Predator program. If designated a Sexually Violent Predator, he could face civil commitment in a state hospital rather than release into the community.<\/p>\n State lawmakers are now discussing potential reforms to exclude violent sexual predators from the Elderly Parole Program. Proposals under consideration would limit eligibility for inmates convicted of certain violent sex offenses involving children.<\/p>\n The case has reignited debate about the balance between criminal justice reform and public safety \u2014 particularly in cases involving crimes against children.<\/p>\n For communities across El Dorado County and neighboring Sacramento County, the issue is not theoretical. It is deeply personal.<\/p>\n As one law enforcement official summarized the concern: the passage of time alone does not necessarily equal rehabilitation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" David Allen Funston, 64, has been granted parole under California\u2019s Elderly Parole Program despite serving three consecutive life terms for sexually assaulting eight children in the 1990s. The California Board of Parole Hearings reaffirmed its decision Feb. 18, 2026, after Gov. Gavin Newsom requested a review. Law enforcement officials and former prosecutors argue that age does not diminish the risk posed by violent sexual offenders. Lawmakers are now considering reforms to restrict parole eligibility for similar offenders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11656,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"7","parallax":"1","layout":"no-sidebar-narrow","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"float","share_float_style":"share-normal","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_post_related":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"Despite Three Life Terms, State Board Reaffirms Release Under Elderly Parole Program \u2014 Law Enforcement Calls Decision \u201cDead Wrong\u201d"},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nA Crime Spree That Shocked the Sacramento Region<\/h3>\n
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Parole Granted Under Elderly Parole Program<\/h3>\n
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors Push Back<\/h3>\n
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Legislative Response Under Consideration<\/h3>\n