Fort Bragg Man Accused of Prowling Sentenced to Six Years for Sex Crime

Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Victoria Shanahan on Friday sentenced Cayden Paul Craig, 24, to six years in state prison in accordance with a plea agreement signed May 6.

Craig was arrested June 28, 2025, after being accused of entering a home on South Harrison Street in Fort Bragg through a bedroom window and raping the resident.

The victim initially believed her masked assailant was someone she knew. Craig was identified through DNA evidence. He admitted entering the home and having “rough” sex with the victim but maintained the encounter was consensual.

Craig also faced charges of prowling outside a house on South Sanderson Street and stealing a video camera from the property. Additional charges filed by the district attorney were dismissed after individual victims identified a different person.

Following a preliminary hearing, Judge Patrick Pekin ruled there was sufficient evidence for Craig to stand trial on charges of forcible rape, sexual penetration with a foreign object by force, prowling, and petty theft.

Under the plea agreement, those charges were reduced to two felonies: sexual penetration of a person prevented from resisting because of intoxication and first-degree burglary.

Although the combined sentences totaled 10 years, the six-year sentence for the sex offense and the four-year sentence for burglary will run concurrently — at the same time — for a six-year sentence.

Craig also received nearly two years of credit for time served since his arrest, giving him a release date in June 2030. He also must register as a sex offender.

During the sentencing hearing, defense attorney Justin Pedersen argued that Craig lacked the ability to pay substantial state fines, noting that his client had been receiving CalFresh benefits.

Citing Craig’s inability to pay, the court reduced his restitution fine to $300 and stayed several other fees.

Craig waived his right to be personally present for future restitution hearings. Deputy District Attorney Eloise Kelsey and Pedersen agreed to return to court July 2 at 10 a.m. to determine whether both sides can stipulate to the final victim restitution amounts.

Craig has 60 days to file an appeal.

Read our coverage of this case:

Judge Says Case Against Alleged Fort Bragg Prowler/Rapist Can Proceed to Trial (November 6, 2025)

Accused Fort Bragg Prowler Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Set for May (January 30, 2026)

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