Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper on Monday criticized the parole of David Allen Funston, a 64-year-old man convicted of kidnapping and molesting children in 1995 and 1996, after state records show he was granted parole under California’s elderly parole program.
“A judge in Sacramento described him… as the monster parents fear most, yet today the parole board decided he is suitable for release,” Cooper said during a press conference at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office headquarters.
Cooper said Funston preyed on children in the Sacramento area in 1995 and 1996 and targeted eight victims — seven girls and one boy — between the ages of 3 and 7.
“He lured them with candy, Barbie dolls, toys, and abused these kids horrifically, horrifically,” Cooper said.
He said Funston was convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation.
“The youngest victim 3 years of age,” Cooper said.
Funston was sentenced to 20 years and 8 months in prison, as well as three consecutive sentences of 25 years to life, Cooper said.
According to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records, Funston was granted parole at a subsequent suitability hearing on Sept. 24, 2025.
“Unfortunately, in 2020, a bill was passed that made folks eligible for parole as early as 50 years of age once they served 20 years, so he qualifies. He’s 64 years old… that is dead wrong,” Cooper said.
“What in the hell is going on in California? What is happening in our state? This cannot happen. It’s not OK,” he said.
“You don’t get a second chance with children at all. And I’m pissed. It is not OK. It is not OK,” Cooper added.
Retired Detective Rafael Rodriguez, who worked on the original investigation, said he learned of the decision through news reports.
“Now yesterday I’m reading the news in bed and I see Mr. Funston is about to be released. I was outraged,” Rodriguez said. “The victims here, they got a life sentence. OK, a life sentence.”
Undersheriff Mike Ziegler said Funston had served less than a third of the time he was given.
“This monster. He was sentenced to almost or a little over 90 years. He’s done less than a third of that, and he’s going to be on the streets,” Ziegler said.
“A third of our current child abuse suspects will be eligible for parole as soon as they turn 50… that’s the problem with the law,” he added.
Amelia, who identified herself as one of Funston’s victims, also spoke at the press conference.
“This man has took innocence from myself and others,” she said. “He, he is a criminal child molester, dangerous and deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars,” she said.
When asked what happens next, Cooper acknowledged uncertainty about Funston’s release.
“Well, hopefully someone comes in with a rational mind and makes changes. I hope,” he said.
Asked whether the community could see Funston back in Sacramento, Cooper responded, “Correct. That’s what’s scary, and they don’t stop. They don’t stop.”
Cooper said he is requesting that state officials consider Funston for evaluation under California’s Sexually Violent Predator process, which allows certain offenders to be evaluated for possible civil commitment to a state hospital following release from prison.
The California Department of State Hospitals declined to comment on Funston specifically, citing federal and state patient privacy laws, but directed ABC10 to public documents outlining the steps involved in California’s Sex Offender Commitment Program.
According to the sheriff, Funston’s parole was upheld Feb. 18. A release date has not been publicly announced, and what happens next remains unclear, Cooper said.
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