A man convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting multiple young children in Northern California has been granted parole following a recent hearing, paving the way for his potential release from state prison.
David Allen Funston, 64, is currently housed at the California Institution for Men in Chino. A Board of Parole Hearings panel affirmed a prior parole recommendation during a February hearing, clearing another step toward his release. State officials indicate that the governor retains the authority to review and potentially reverse the decision.
Funston was convicted in 1999 on 16 felony counts related to a series of kidnappings and sexual assaults involving children in Sacramento-area communities. Court records show he was sentenced to 20 years and eight months in prison, along with three consecutive terms of 25 years to life.
During trial proceedings, eight children — seven girls and one boy, all under the age of 7 at the time of the crimes — testified about their experiences. Prosecutors detailed how Funston allegedly used candy, toys and other items to lure young children to his vehicle before abducting and assaulting them.
In one 1995 case, authorities said a 5-year-old girl was enticed into his car and taken to a remote area where she was assaulted. She was later found walking along a roadway, distressed and without shoes. In another case, a 4-year-old girl was reportedly lured with a toy and threatened with a knife after being taken to a residence. Court testimony described significant physical and emotional trauma suffered by the victims.
Before his California convictions, Funston had also been convicted in Colorado for sexually assaulting an adult woman.
Former prosecutors involved in the case have publicly opposed his release, arguing that the severity and pattern of the crimes warrant continued incarceration. Efforts are reportedly underway to explore additional legal avenues that could delay or prevent his release, including review under California’s Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) law. Under that program, certain offenders may be subject to civil commitment to a state hospital if they are deemed to pose a continued threat to public safety.
Funston became eligible for review under California’s elderly parole provisions, which generally allow inmates age 50 or older who have served at least 20 continuous years to receive a parole suitability hearing. He was previously denied elderly parole in 2022 before being granted parole in a subsequent review.
It remains unclear when he would be released or where he would reside if released. State corrections officials have not publicly provided a timeline.
The case has renewed debate about parole eligibility standards, victims’ rights, and the balance between rehabilitation and public safety in California’s criminal justice system.
