FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The public is getting a new look at how close a serial child molester is to walking the streets of Fresno.
David Funston used candy and toys to lure children in Sacramento County back in the 1990s. His youngest victim was three years old.
“It was the worst serial child predator case I’ve ever seen in my history,” former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert told Action News.
She prosecuted the case in 1999, securing a conviction and three life sentences.
“A prosecutor had a belief that when you got life, it meant life,” Schubert said. “We made promises to these families, to these children. ‘Don’t ever worry, he’s never going to get out.'”
But under new laws, the 64-year-old Funston received parole in February. He is considered “elderly” under a state program that allows the possibility of parole for any inmate who is 50 years of age or older and has served a minimum of 20 consecutive years.
The decision to release the convicted child molester from prison came even after stunning comments.
Documents obtained by Action News reveal Funston told the parole board last September that he still has sexual fantasies.
He describes a thought from four years ago involving his daughter’s 8-year-old playmate.
“This parole board felt that he was still safe to release, which is really quite shocking,” Schubert said.
Asked where he wanted to go, Funston said the Centers for Living in Fresno.
Funston was set to walk free and would likely be in Fresno. However, on his release date in February, Placer County authorities arrested him on prior charges by reopening a case they dropped 30 years ago after the three life sentences.
“They were dropped ‘in the interest of justice’ because the belief was David Funston would never get out,” Schubert said. “And so now those interests of justice have been flipped on their head.”
His imprisonment now hinges on the new case and the potential trial to come.
Schubert now recalls what the judge said about Funston in her case.
“He essentially described him as every parent’s worst nightmare, and that no amount of time would ever be enough for the crimes that he committed,” Schubert said.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not respond to Action News’ request for comment.
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