California Man Accused of Decades-Long Sexual Abuse of Family Member

Larry Candies, 75, charged with 8 counts of lewd acts with a child under 14

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:21pm

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An extreme close-up of a pair of metal handcuffs against a stark black background, the harsh flash illuminating the cold, hard details of the restraints in a gritty, investigative style.A chilling reminder of the harsh realities of child sexual abuse cases that can span decades.Stockton Today

A 75-year-old California man named Larry Candies has been charged with eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 after a family member reported he had been sexually abusing her since she was 11 years old. During the investigation, police discovered Candies had a history of prior sexual assault allegations dating back to the 1980s.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual abuse within families and the need for more comprehensive reporting and investigation of such allegations, even when they involve long-standing patterns of abuse. It also raises questions about how to better protect vulnerable children and hold repeat offenders accountable.

The details

In September 2025, a mother contacted police to report that her 13-year-old daughter had been sexually abused by a relative, Larry Candies. The child alleged the abuse had been occurring since she was 11 years old. Further investigation uncovered that Candies had been accused of sexual assault allegations in the past, including a report from the 1980s where a relative said they were abused by Candies between the ages of 8 and 13.

  • In September 2025, the mother reported the abuse to police.
  • The child alleged the abuse had been occurring since she was 11 years old, starting around 2023.

The players

Larry Candies

A 75-year-old California man who has been charged with eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 after being accused of sexually abusing a family member over the span of years.

The 13-year-old victim

A family member of Larry Candies who reported that he had been sexually abusing her since she was 11 years old.

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What they’re saying

“During the investigation, Child Protective Services reports as well as Stockton Police Department reports, revealed prior sexual assault allegations against Larry Candies.”

— Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Statement

“[Detectives] contacted prior reported victims and spoke with two relatives of Candies, one of whom described being sexually abused by Larry in the 1980s between the ages of eight and thirteen years old.”

— Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Statement

What’s next

Candies is currently being held on $1 million bond. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet reported their abuse.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for more comprehensive reporting, investigation, and accountability around allegations of long-term sexual abuse, especially within families. It highlights the vulnerability of children and the importance of protecting them from repeat offenders.