REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember
City Council, District One
BY: LAURA RIOS, Chief of Staff
City Council, District One
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - A Resolution of the Council of the City of Fresno, California, Urging the California Board of Parole Hearings to Deny Parole for Rudolph Martin Acosta (CDCR # H50445)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution urging the California Board of Parole Hearings to deny parole for Rudolph Martin Acosta, CDCR #H50445, based on the egregious nature of his crimes, the ongoing trauma to victims and the community, and the sustained threat his release would pose to public safety.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This resolution expresses the City of Fresno’s strong opposition to the potential parole of Rudolph Martin Acosta, who was convicted in 1992 for a string of violent sexual assaults in the Tower District and in Central California. Acosta's crimes left a devastating impact on his victims and the broader community, instilling long-lasting fear and trauma. His release would undermine justice and public trust, retraumatize survivors, and pose a renewed threat to community safety.
BACKGROUND
Rudolph Martin Acosta (CDCR #H50445) is currently incarcerated at Avenal State Prison, having been admitted on October 1, 1992, following conviction for multiple violent sexual assaults. His crime spree affected at least nine confirmed victims, though law enforcement suspects there may be more, based on the consistency of his modus operandi and unresolved cases from that period. Known as the “Tower District Rapist,” Acosta’s crimes were marked by calculated violence, the targeting of vulnerable women, and a lack of remorse. His actions left psychological scars on survivors and shattered the sense of safety in the Tower District - a neighborhood known for its vibrancy, diversity, and tightly-knit community.
The City of Fresno (Fresno) has a responsibility to advocate on behalf of its residents, especially those affected by violent crime. Allowing parole for Acosta would not only risk retraumatizing the survivors who continue to live in Fresno but would also send a dangerous message that the passage of time diminishes the gravity of such offenses.
The resolution affirms the City Council’s commitment to:
• Supporting crime victims and their families
• Prioritizing community safety
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Not Applicable.
LOCAL PREFERENCE Not Applicable.
Attachment: Resolution