California Child Predator Convicted of Sex Crimes Goes Missing Before Sentencing, Warrant Issued

A California man who had been convicted of six counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child has gone missing before his sentencing. Authorities have issued a search warrant for his arrest.

Carl Cocconie, who was found guilty, after a trial at the El Dorado County Courthouse in South Lake Tahoe, disappeared before his sentencing hearing.

The victim, who is now an adult, has described Cocconie as a 'monster,' saying he stole her 'innocence' when she was just 11 years old.

The El Dorado County judge, Michael McLaughlin, allowed Cocconie to remain on bail until his scheduled sentencing on August 25, 2025, when he was set to face up to 18 years in prison. But when the hearing came, Cocconi never showed up.

The victim's mother, identified as Alana Ramirez, said that she blames the judge for the decision to allow Cocconie to walk free before his sentencing, saying she now fears for her daughter’s safety.

“I don't understand why you would let him go after he was found guilty. I don’t have an answer yet and would appreciate one. Nobody has explained how this was possible,” Ramirez said while talking to KCRA.

The El Dorado County district attorney, Vern Pierson, said his office had strict instructions from Judge McLaughlin to place Cocconie into custody after his guilty verdicts. Still, the judge allowed him to leave the building.

“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,” Pierson said, according to reports from KCRA.

Cocconie was wearing a GPS ankle monitor when he went missing. Still, it lost connection about one week before his scheduled sentencing, according to a KCRA-obtained El Dorado County Probation Department report. The report stated that the device was last tracked in San Francisco’s Sunset neighborhood.

Cocconie’s family reported him to San Francisco police on the day of his sentencing, claiming he left a suicide note. His attorney told KCRA that he believed Cocconie is dead, citing his history of never missing a court appearance. Pierson, however, contended that Cocconie is likely still alive, warning that anyone who assists him in evading authorities could face charges.

“It angers me because we were so close to him going to jail,” Ramirez told KCRA. “He might come after my daughter,” she added. “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,” she said.