How did California release a child predator on bail after his conviction?

Published June 15, 2026 2:56pm ET | Updated June 15, 2026 2:56pm ET



California’s criminal justice system is so weak that it will release child predators on bail after they have been convicted of their crimes, with no mind to the consequences and the threat to the public.

The FBI has tracked down Carl Cacconie in Arizona after he spent nearly 10 months on the run. He had been convicted of six counts of “committing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14” for abusing an 11-year-old girl. Cacconie was facing up to 18 years in prison and yet somehow ended up over 600 miles away from where he was convicted in El Dorado County, California, being captured in Scottsdale.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.