FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Close to 1,300 sex offenders are living in Fresno, and city leaders are fighting to keep that number down.
Earlier this year, a convicted child molester was nearly released from prison and sent to Fresno.
“This man here is probably one of the most dangerous child predators that the state of California has ever seen,” said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp during a news conference held by city and county leaders Tuesday.
Smittcamp was referring to David Allen Funston, a convicted child kidnapper and molester.
In 1999, Funston received three consecutive life sentences for targeting eight children — The youngest, just three years old.
In 2020, the state expanded the program, allowing some inmates to be considered for parole after turning 50 and serving at least 20 years.
“Because of that change, this creep right here, David Allen Funston, was granted parole just last year,” said City Councilmember for District 2, Mike Karbassi.
Funston was set to be released in February, but to keep him in cuffs, authorities in Placer County reopened a 30-year-old case they had dropped in the interest of justice.
Before that happened, Funston said he wanted to go to the Centers for Living in Fresno, which provides transitional housing, including for sex offenders.
“That causes fear for residents. Especially if you have children. Especially if individuals like this are moving next door to you,” said Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni.
City leaders say that’s why they’re introducing the SHIELD Act — not to be confused with other federal and state initiatives under the same name.
The measure would force group homes housing sex offenders to register for a city license.
And the license would adopt a county ordinance limiting six sex offenders to one home.
“Where we’ve taken away the voice of the victims, we’ve taken away the voice of prosecutors and judges who have given lawful sentences to people like Funston, and we have now empowered them to say, ‘You’re going to get out early,’ and, ‘Well, where would you like to go?'” said Smittcamp.
The city says it will discuss next steps towards passing the SHIELD Act during its council meeting on Thursday.
They’re hoping to pass it by the end of this year.
Click here for video story from ABC 30.
