Additional Coverage:
- Convicted child predator goes missing in California before judge issues prison sentence (themirror.com)
A California man convicted of multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child has disappeared ahead of his sentencing, prompting an urgent manhunt by local authorities.
Carl Cacconie was found guilty in July 2025 following a trial at the El Dorado County courthouse in South Lake Tahoe. His victim, now an adult, described him as a “monster” who took her innocence when she was just 11 years old.
Despite the guilty verdict, El Dorado County Judge Michael McLaughlin allowed Cacconie to remain out of custody until his sentencing hearing scheduled for August 25, 2025. At that hearing, Cacconie faced up to 18 years in prison. However, he failed to appear on the day of sentencing.
The victim’s mother, Alana Ramirez, expressed her frustration and fear, directly criticizing the judge’s decision to release Cacconie before sentencing. “I don’t understand why you would let him go after he was found guilty.
I don’t have an answer, and I wish he-or someone-would give us one. Nobody has explained how this was possible,” Ramirez said.
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson revealed that his office had urged the judge to keep Cacconie in custody after the guilty verdict, but the judge permitted his release. Pierson emphasized, “This is someone a jury unanimously convicted of multiple acts against a child. Under those circumstances, there’s simply no question he should have been remanded into custody.”
At the time Cacconie vanished, he was wearing a GPS ankle monitor. According to a probation department report, the device lost connection and stopped tracking his location about a week before the sentencing date. The last known signal came from San Francisco’s Sunset neighborhood.
On the day Cacconie failed to appear, his family notified San Francisco police, reporting that he left a suicide note. While his defense attorney believes Cacconie may be deceased, citing his consistent court attendance in the past, District Attorney Pierson remains skeptical and warned that anyone aiding Cacconie in evading law enforcement could face criminal charges.
Ramirez shared her ongoing fear for her daughter’s safety: “It angers me because we were so close to him going to jail. He might come after my daughter.
I think about it every day, even when I go to sleep at night. It’s something I fear every day.
It’s not a good feeling.” Authorities continue their search for Cacconie as the community grapples with the unsettling turn of events.