(SACRAMENTO, CA) —The people of Sacramento—and every parent across California—deserve answers.
Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper recently announced California Parole Board has granted parole to David Allen Funston, a convicted serial child molester who lured children as young as four years old with candy and toys. Funston was found guilty of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation. “His crimes shattered families and stole childhoods,” Sheriff Jim Cooper said, in a video released on social media. “A judge once described him as ‘the monster parents fear the most’.”
(Photo of Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper (middle) provided by his social media video on Instagram.)
Funston was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison, plus three consecutive terms of 25 years to life. Yet, early this week, the parole board has decided he is suitable for release. How do they explain that to the children who suffered? How do they tell parents that a predator of this nature is “no longer a risk”?
Rightfully so, community outrage was immediate and overwhelming. OpGov.ai reports on social media, the reaction was explosive. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s post on X drew more than 952 comments, 8.6K likes, and 4.2K reshares. On Instagram, the same announcement received over 2,000 likes and more than 200 comments within 18 hours—a clear sign of public outrage and demand for accountability:
(Directly above: Sacramento Sheriff’s Instagram comments.)
“This is a slap in the face to every parent who trusted the system to keep their kids safe,” said Maria Lopez, a Sacramento mother of two.
“We fought for justice once. Now we have to fight again,” added James Carter, whose niece was among Funston’s victims.
“The law needs to change. Children’s safety should never be negotiable,” said Detective Rodriguez, who investigated the case.
Under California’s Elderly Parole Program, inmates over 50 are eligible for parole consideration. Funston is 64. “But age does not erase predatory behavior,” Sheriff Cooper stated. “It does not undo grooming. It does not restore stolen innocence. Childhood sexual predators do not suddenly become safe because they turn 50. They cannot be rehabilitated.”
Most states exclude heinous crimes like these from elderly parole. California does not. And as such, many comments and reshares on X platform specifically called out for more accountability from California Governor Gavin Newsom:
Cooper said Detective Rodriguez, who investigated the case, knows firsthand the danger Funston posed and the lengths it took to stop him.
(Image of David Allen Funston courtesy of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.)
“The Elderly Parole Program was intended for those who no longer pose a threat. In cases like this, it fails. Our number one responsibility is to protect children. That should never be controversial or partisan,” Cooper stated, adding “protecting children is not rhetoric—it is common sense. Protect children first. Always.”
Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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