Early Prison Release For Convicted RivCo Child Molester Draws Outrage

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A man who was convicted of sexually assaulting a child more than a decade ago in Riverside County was granted a "compassionate release" from prison this week after serving less than a quarter of his sentence.

The early release prompted outrage from Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin. On Friday, the DA called the decision "appalling" given the offender's "violent crime against a child."

In 2013, Frank Duane Brown pled guilty to six felony counts of forced lewd and lascivious sexual acts on a child under the age of 14 years old. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

In a recent audio recording from the victim, she said she lived with Brown at the time of the abuse and that he "raped me almost every single day." Brown's relationship to the victim, if any, was not clear.

On July 18, 2024, a hearing was held before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Scott P. Williams to determine whether Brown, now 72, qualified for compassionate release from prison due to his medical diagnosis of metastatic liver cancer.

The judge granted the request on Aug. 8, and Brown is scheduled for release in the next 30 days. Brown is currently receiving medical treatment at California Health Care Facility in Stockton, prison records show. The state-run facility provides medical care and mental health treatment to inmates with severe and long-term needs, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Hestrin's office opposed the petition for release based on what the law enforcement agency described as Brown's "high risk to public safety" and "lack of reliable evidence" supporting his medical condition and outlook.

Hestrin also said the decision was unfair to the victim.

"Once again, the state places the victim in a traumatic situation, forcing her to fight to keep her perpetrator in prison for the sentence handed down by a court of law. By doing so, victims must relive their devastating experiences. How is this justice?" Hestrin said.

"Our office remains steadfast in opposing the early release of felons toprotect victims and ensure public safety," Hestrin continued. "It is outrageous that we must constantly advocate to keep a clearly dangerous sexual predator behind bars for their full sentence. This is a battle we are committed to fighting every single day until this practice is put to an end."

Hestrin's office shared a link that lets the public voice concerns about early prison releases. Find the link here.