Podcast Summary

Facts Matter – The Epoch Times

Episode: Community in Shock After Serial Child Rapist Given Early Release by California Parole Board
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Roman

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Roman investigates the shocking parole of David Allen Funston, a notorious child predator who was sentenced in 1999 for a spate of heinous crimes against children in California. The episode dissects the community reaction, the controversial logic behind the California Parole Board's decision, and the last-minute new charges that kept Funston from release. With Roman’s signature straightforward approach—“no spin, no favorites”—the episode lays bare the facts, emotions, and unresolved questions surrounding Funston's case and broader issues within California’s justice system.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Background: Funston’s Crimes and Sentencing

Funston’s modus operandi: He targeted children aged 3-7 in the late 1990s, using candy and toys to lure them into his vehicle ([00:00]).
Nature of crimes: Kidnapping, molestation, beating, rape. The crimes were described as shocking even to seasoned law enforcement ([00:23]).
Sentencing details:
- 16 counts leading to three consecutive life sentences plus 20 years ([00:44]).
- Judge labeled him “the monster parents fear the most.”

2. Parole and Elderly Parole Program

27 years served: Funston became eligible for early release under California’s Elderly Parole program (inmates over 50 who have served at least 20 years) ([01:29]).
Board’s rationale: Claimed Funston was no longer a danger.
- “[The] thinking for their part is that he is no longer a danger to society, which is something that almost nobody agrees with” ([01:49]).
Widespread backlash: Outrage from victims, law enforcement, and the governor.
Secrecy around release: Release date and location withheld due to safety concerns for Funston ([02:24]).

3. Parole Hearing Revelations

Funston’s admissions: In parole hearing transcripts, Funston admitted to continued pedophilic fantasies—even up to 2021. He also admitted to masturbating to thoughts of children while in prison.
- “He described pedophilia as a lifelong condition, saying, ‘there’s always a possibility that I’ll relapse. I, I know it’s not inevitable, so, so I know that it’s important for me to continue to build on my recovery. I don’t. I want to do everything I can to ensure that I, that I never harm another child.’” ([03:19])
Urge control ‘plan’: Funston’s mitigation strategy is self-talk and focusing on victim impact ([04:05]).
Parole Board’s view:
- Commissioner Patricia Cassidy:
  - “Your present mental state is not the same as the mental state you had at the time of the crime. You didn’t have the coping skills that you have now. And so, you have gained sufficient coping skills and tools to address defects in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.” ([05:02])

4. Political and Legal Response

Governor’s intervention: Gavin Newsom requested reconsideration; board reaffirmed decision; governor’s hands tied by law ([05:37]).
Community and official reaction:
- “The local sheriffs couldn’t believe what they were hearing.”
- “The victims have come out in shock.”

5. 11th-Hour Charges

New allegations:
- Just one day before scheduled release, prosecutors in Placer County filed new charges for an alleged 1996 crime involving a child under 10 ([06:02]).
- “There were so many victims that 27 years later ... David can still be charged with new crimes.” ([06:36])
Current legal standing: Funston held without bail; faces one count of lewd and lascivious acts ([06:44]).

6. Prosecutor Statements & Victim Advocacy

District Attorney Morgan Guyer (Placer County):
- On Parole Board: “I would have denied parole and kept him in. That’s where he belongs. I disagree, incredibly, with some of the findings that were made, Given some of the facts that were disclosed throughout the course of that hearing.” ([07:22])
- On new charges: “Is prosecuting this case the right thing to do, to hold him accountable? The answer to that question is yes. We always encourage victims to report whenever it is safe.” ([08:10])

7. Possible Outcomes and Public Concern

Maximum possible new sentence: 8 years if found guilty on new charge; otherwise, Funston could be released soon ([08:43]).
Ongoing tension: Large unanswered questions remain about safety, justice, and systemic failures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Elderly Parole program and Board’s rationale:
- “The thinking for, for their part, is that he is no longer a danger to society, which is something that almost nobody agrees with.” (Roman, [01:49])
From the parole hearing transcript:
- “There’s always a possibility that I’ll relapse. I, I know it’s not inevitable, so, so I know that it’s important for me to continue to build on my recovery. I want to do everything I can to ensure that I ... never harm another child.” (Funston, [03:43]).
Parole Board’s presiding commissioner Patricia Cassidy:
- “You have gained sufficient coping skills and tools to address defects in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.” ([05:06])
District Attorney Morgan Guyer:
- “I would have denied parole and kept him in. That’s where he belongs.” ([07:22])
- “Is prosecuting this case the right thing to do, to hold him accountable? The answer to that question is yes.” ([08:10])

Key Timestamps

00:00–00:44: Introduction and overview of Funston’s crimes
01:29–02:24: Explanation of the Elderly Parole program and surprise parole decision
03:19–05:06: Parole hearing and Funston’s own admissions of risk
05:37–06:02: Response from governor and community
06:02–06:44: Filing of last-minute criminal charges
07:22–08:10: Statements from District Attorney Morgan Guyer
08:43–End: Discussion of potential outcomes and lingering questions for society

Final Thoughts (Host’s Closing)

Roman closes with questions to the audience, reflecting the gravity and complexity of the debate:

“Do you think that this whole thing is fair? Do you think that David will reoffend? And even if he does not reoffend, do you think that a man like this deserves a second chance in society after the crime that he did?” ([09:05])

He invites listeners to comment and pledges to read the responses, underscoring the podcast’s commitment to open, fact-based discussion.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive, fact-driven recap of this urgent and controversial episode.

Transcript

A (0:00)

This man right here, David Allen Funston, he is one of the worst criminals that you could imagine. In the late 90s over in California, David would drive around in his car in suburban neighborhoods looking for children aged three to seven. He would then use things like candy, toys, as well as other little gifts to lure the kids to get into his car. And once inside, he would kidnap them, molest them, beat them, and rape them. Now, thankfully, he didn't kill any of the kids, but that's pretty much the only silver lining. I'm not gonna get into the graphic details of what he actually did to those kids, but if for some reason you ever wanna know, just Google his name and you can read the court documents that go into the horrifying specifics. I mean, the guy really is an absolute monster. And as such, he was convicted and thrown into prison in order to serve out three consecutive life sentences. Quote, David Allen Funston, age 64, was convicted in 1999 of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation after a horrific crime spree in Sacramento county, during which he kidnapped, raped, and beat eight children aged three to seven. The judge described him as the monster parents fear the most and sentenced him to three consecutive life terms, plus 20 years. Thus far, David has been sitting in prison for the past 27 years. However, would you believe it, the California Parole Board has decided that 27 years was enough. And as such, they granted David early release under California's Elderly Parole program, which allows inmates in the state who are above the age of 50 who've served out at least 20 years or more of their sentence to be let out early. The thinking for, for their part, is that he is no longer a danger to society, which is something that almost nobody agrees with. The victims have come out in shock. The local sheriffs couldn't believe what they were hearing. The Governor of California, he tried to get the board to reconsider, but they just reaffirmed their earlier decision. And his hands were legally tied because under California law, he couldn't do anything. And the public backlash to this has been so severe that the Department of Corrections was keeping David's release date and location a secret due to safety concerns. And part of the reason that the decision was so baffling is that besides the obvious, during the actual parole hearings, David admitted that for him, pedophilia is a lifelong condition and that he continues to have fantasies even while in prison. I'm going to read you a summary of the transcript from the parole hearing, and I'll warn you that some of it is a Little bit graphic. So if you want to skip about a minute later into this video, you can do so right now. Quote, Transcripts from a September 2025 parole hearing show that as recently as 2021, Funston was masturbating to children in prison. Funston said he had a lapse from 2020 to 2021 in which he had fantasies about children, including an eight year old girl who, who lived across the street from him and played with his daughter. He said after that, he saw a mental health counselor and developed an urge control plan that he has been practicing every day since. His urge control plan includes telling himself to stop and remember the consequences, along with focusing on victim impacts. He said he is still attracted to female children. He described pedophilia as a lifelong condition, saying, there's always a possibility that I'll relapse. I, I know it's not inevitable, so, so I know that it's important for me to continue to build on my recovery. I don't. I want to do everything I can to ensure that I, that I never harm another child. Now, regardless of what you might have thought hearing that summary from the parole hearing, the California Parole Board decided that David was suitable for early release and that he did not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety. During the hearing, one of the parole board members, he praised David's urge control plan. And the presiding commissioner of the parole board, Ms. Patricia Cassidy, she said this in part during the hearing. Quote, your present mental state is not the same as the mental state you had at the time of the crime. You didn't have the coping skills that you have now. And so you have gained sufficient coping skills and tools to address defects in order to avoid repeating past mistakes. Now, this was in September of 2025. Four months later, in January of this year, Governor Gavin Newsom asked the board to reconsider. They did, and they decided that it was the correct decision, meaning David was granted parole and he was set to be released on Thursday, March 5. However, just hours before he was set to be released, local prosecutors filed a new charge against him. Quote, just 24 hours before Funston was set to be released. On Thursday, Placer county prosecutors filed a new charge keeping him in custody. David Allen Funston made a brief appearance Monday in a Roseville courtroom. The arraignment and bail review were continued and he will remain in jail without bail for now, a decision that comes as a relief to many in the community who feared what could happen if he were released. Funston is charged in Placer county with one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child. According to court records, the alleged crime happened in 1996 and involved a victim prosecutors say was younger than 10. And so, basically, at the 11th hour, prosecutors were able to charge him with one count of lewd and mischievous acts with a child for a crime that happened all the way back in 96 with a young girl, which is really wild if you think about it. There were so many victims that 27 years later, a quarter of a century later, David can still be charged with new crimes. Speaking to local media, here was a statement from Morgan Guyer, the placker county district attorney, on the parole decision. Prior to filing these new charges, quote, I would have voted very differently from the parole board. I would have denied parole and kept him in. That's where he belongs. I disagree, incredibly, with some of the findings that were made, Given some of the facts that were disclosed throughout the course of that hearing. I'm always concerned that someone with these charges and this propensity and proclivity for committing these types of crimes would victimize someone else again. The placker county DA then went on to discuss the new charges that he filed. Quote, obviously we would have to have victim participation in a case like this. She has agreed and is willing. The statute of limitations allows us to prosecute. There will be some legal hurdles and there will be some litigation, I can assure you. But at the end of the day, is prosecuting this case the right thing to do, to hold him accountable? The answer to that question is yes. We always encourage victims to report whenever it is safe. At the moment, Mr. David Allen Funston is being held in jail without bail. However, even if he's found guilty of this new crime, the new charge carries only a maximum of eight years in prison, meaning David is either going to be released very soon, or if he's found guilty, he'll be released maximum eight years from now. If you'd like to read the details about either the 1999 case, the parole decision, or this new charge that was recently filed against him, I'll throw all those research notes down into the description box below, which is that description box right below those like and subscribe buttons, both of which I hope you smash, that this important information can reach ever more people. And lastly, I'd love to know your thoughts. Do you think that this whole thing is fair? Do you think that David will reoffend? And even if he does not reoffend, do you think that a man like this deserves a second chance in society after the crime that he did. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I'd love to read them. And I will be reading them tonight as well as into the week after the video publishes. And then until next time, I'm your host, Roman from the Epic Times Times. Stay informed and most importantly, stay free.