Crime Victims United

CVU uses education, legislative advocacy and political action to enhance public safety, promote effective crime-reduction measures and strengthen victim right's

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Too bad the parole board’s “compassion” doesn’t extend to victims. 🤨
(Thanks to our local Sheriffs for their posts 🥰)

[Jim Cooper @SheriffJCooper]

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU IGNORE THE EXPERTS IN THE ROOM

Thank you to @sjsheriff @PatWithrowSJC for sharing this story. In 2017, Steven Rodriguez ambushed @StocktonPolice officers during a traffic stop, where a patrol car was struck by gunfire. Thankfully, no officers were killed.  He was then convicted in court by a jury of his peers, and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attempted murder of those officers.

In its infinite wisdom, the California Parole Board released Rodriguez in November 2025, through California’s “compassionate release process.”  Just last week, months after being “compassionately released,” he was arrested again by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office on multiple weapons-related charges, including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and unlawful possession of ammunition.  None of this should surprise anyone, it was all by design.

In 2022, the @cal_daa (California District Attorneys Association) warned lawmakers exactly what would happen if these release standards were expanded. CDAA specifically opposed AB 960 because it would allow the release of inmates “still capable of committing crimes and hurting Californians,” while also weakening public safety protections.  They warned the bill loosened standards so dramatically that offenders who were still physically capable of committing serious crimes could qualify for release.

The experts in the room saw the risks and they were ignored.  Now the public, and law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day, are dealing with the consequences.  This is what happens when ideology outweighs public safety.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

@JohnBirke32 @KevinKileyCA ???

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Join the fight for justice!

[Jim Cooper @SheriffJCooper]

A 20-year-old, two 18-year-olds, and two 17-year-olds are facing homicide charges. In California, their ages do not just describe who they are; they largely determine what consequences they will face.

Proposition 57, and legislation that followed it, fundamentally changed how this state handles violent offenders who are young. It removed prosecutors from the decision to try juveniles as adults and shifted that authority to the courts. The practical effect has been that the juvenile system has built-in limits, and in most cases, those offenders cannot be held beyond the age of 25. That is not an unintended gap in the law; it was intentional.

But the policy does not stop when someone turns 18. California created the youth offender parole program, which allows individuals who committed crimes at a “young” age (meaning anyone between 18 and 25), including those who committed serious and violent crimes, to be considered for early release after serving only a portion of their sentence. That means the 18- and 20-year-olds in a case like this are not necessarily facing sentences that fit their crimes. They are entering a system designed to move them toward earlier release.

At the other end of the spectrum, the elderly parole program applies the same principle. Different category, same outcome. Whether based on a young age at the time of the crime or age later in life, the policy direction is consistent: shorten sentences for serious and violent offenders.

These laws were created, passed, and expanded with full understanding of how they function together. The result is a system that reduces accountability at multiple stages, from juvenile jurisdiction to adult parole eligibility.

The result is an 18-year-old Sacramento State student shot to death while sitting in the back of an Uber. Her friend survived and will live with the consequences of that night for the rest of his life. They were not involved in any dispute and did not know the people involved. They were simply there.

The law places limits on how long offenders can be held but takes zero ownership of the damage done to victims and their families. This is not a system failing. It is a system operating exactly as designed. If that outcome is unacceptable, then join me and help change the law.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Looking for a way to fight early parole of child rapists? And at the same time support our public safety heroes? Look no further! Sign up now! Sponsorship and ticket info here 👇🏼

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Praying for this deputy’s family - both blood and “blue” - and for the safety of all our brave LEOs still out there protecting the community. Please stay safe! 🙏🏼💔🙏🏼

[Nick Sortor @nicksortor]

🚨 BREAKING: A Sheriff’s deputy has been SHOT AND KlLLED while serving an eviction notice in Portersville, California

The suspect is STILL barricaded inside with a rifle, per the Tulane County Sheriff

Horrific.

Pray for the deputy’s family tonight 🙏🏻

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

This isn’t getting nearly enough attention!

[Rudy W. Giuliani @RudyGiuliani]

🚨 MUST WATCH VIDEO: Gavin Newsom's wife—Jennifer Siebel Newsome—shares that she killed her sister by accident, and told a bunch of San Quentin prisoners that their crimes were probably all accidents too...

...what did I just watch? 👀

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Proud to stand against the release of violent sex offenders!

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

CVU was proud to participate in this event calling on the governor to replace the parole board for irresponsibly releasing dangerous predators. But hear us - this should NOT just be a GOP issue. Public safety and victims rights should be a BI-PARTISAN issue.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

God bless strong DAs who fight for victims! Thank you DA Gire! We love you!!

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

BREAKING: David Funston— the serial child rapist allowed early release under California’s Elder Parole law— is behind bars now on new charges.

Placer County’s DA says charges stem from 1996, when he allegedly sexually assaulted a child in Roseville.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Calling on the parole board to reconsider - in the name of justice, safety, and human decency.

[Jeff Reisig @jeffreisig]

Convicted and sentenced child rapist David Funston was authorized by a parole board to be released tomorrow, Thursday 2/26, from CA state prison on “Elder Parole.”

Today, The California District Attorneys Association joined the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation & urged the California Board of Parole Hearings to reconsider their flawed release decision under relevant case law and authority.

It should have never come to this.

The buck has always stopped with Governor Newsom on this issue.

He previously approved the amended elder parole law in 2020 and now his fully at-will parole board has triggered a nightmare scenario for dozens of victims and millions of Californians.

We hope he/they reconsider.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

A despicable decision by the Parole Board.

[Assemblyman Lackey 👮‍♂️ @TomLackey36]

He was convicted. He was sentenced to life.

The victims were toddlers.

No family should have to relive this because the system decided a serial child molester qualifies for “elderly parole.” Some crimes should mean exactly what the sentence says: life.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Learn more here👇🏼
https://t.co/cRGCnJujRl

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

This evil must be stopped!!

[Mike Netter @nettermike]

Another serial child kidnapper/rapist is being released from prison early, at the age of 64, under California’s “elder parole” program.

This latest released monster kidnapped seven children under the age of seven & raped them. One little girl was 3. He lured her into his car with a Barbie before driving away and raping her

He was convicted by a jury and sentenced by a judge to three life terms in prison in 1999.

Because of this state law, enacted by democratic lawmakers in 2018, he will soon be free.

Democrats and Governor Newsom even expanded the law in 2021.

No other state in the US has such a lenient elder parole law

Call your state lawmakers and demand they change this law to close the loophole that allows serial child rapists to get out of prison early.

One party rule in CA for so many years has been terrible for victims of crime.

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

California’s “Elderly Parole” is the most lenient in the nation - applying even to murderers and sex offenders! This is an affront to justice and a torment to victims. California must do better.
https://t.co/8msqtQdDlN

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

What a heartbreaking loss of an amazing and honorable man. 💔 Our hearts and prayers go out to Sgt Ward’s family - both blood and “blue”.
#SEBA #PublicSafety

https://t.co/eYql4Gs79C

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Wishing CVU Founder Harriet Salarno a beautiful birthday!! You are amazing!!
#crimevictims #PublicSafety #heroforvictims

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

ATTN: Parents - Be sure to check out Placer County DA’s crucial new “Guard Against Grooming” Program here https://t.co/o7jls3AMiy

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Thank you for everything you do! 💙🇺🇸

[Crime Victims United @CrimeVictimsCa]

Read our response to the Governor’s State of the State here: https://t.co/I5q0Q4TTDq