Fresno Council urges California parole board to deny release for convicted sex offender Rudolph Acosta

The Fresno City Council on Thursday approved a resolution urging the California Board of Parole Hearings to deny parole for Rudolph Martin Acosta, a convicted offender whose crimes drew testimony from survivors during the meeting.

Council Member Annalisa Perea introduced the resolution and invited one of the victims to address the council. “To even consider releasing him sends a message that time alone can erase the terror that he has inflicted,” Perea said as she framed the resolution.

A survivor, identified at the meeting as Myrna, told the council she was attacked as a teenager and described long-term trauma. “I plead, I ask, I beg you, please keep him where he is,” she said. Myrna said she had learned that two of the known victims later died by suicide and that others continue to struggle with addiction.

Perea said she would coordinate with state Assemblywoman and launch a petition and letter-writing campaign to ensure the parole board receives a large volume of opposition letters. Council Vice President Miguel Arias seconded the motion to adopt the resolution.

The council voted 6–0 in favor. No fiscal action was attached to the resolution; it is a formal request from the city to the state parole authority expressing the local elected body’s position on a pending parole matter.

Ending: Council members said the resolution was intended to amplify survivors’ voices and to influence the state parole process by demonstrating clear local opposition to release.