An elementary school in Fresno was forced to file a police report after a child sex offender running for city council held a press conference just steps away.<\/p>\n
Rene Campos, 41, a candidate in Fresno City Council<\/a>\u2018s District 7 race, spoke Friday on a street outside St. John\u2019s Cathedral to address outrage over his past, the Fresno Bee reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n He was about 10 feet away from Big Picture Elementary School, a public charter school, which later contacted local cops.<\/p>\n Registered sex offender Rene Campos has stirred up more controversy by holding a news conference across from a school in Fresno.<\/p>\n Until 2015, under Jessica\u2019s Law, California prohibited registered sex offenders from living within 2,000ft of any school or park in the state.<\/p>\n The law was later declared unconstitutional by the California Supreme Court<\/a>, which ruled that residency restrictions must be applied on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n It remains unclear whether Campos is subject to any specific court orders<\/a>, restraining orders or individualized restrictions related to his offense, or whether his limitations fall solely under California\u2019s general sex offender registration requirements.<\/p>\n Campos, who is running to unseat incumbent Nelson Esparza, has not publicly clarified the scope of any conditions that may apply to him. The Post reached out for comment.<\/p>\n Campos was about 10 feet away from Big Picture Elementary School in Fresno, which later contacted local cops.<\/p>\n Esparza said the council is considering legislation to prevent people like Campos from seeking office. Other city leaders were also furious.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has come to my attention and even hit national news that we have a registered sex offender that is currently running for Fresno City Council,\u201d Councilwoman Annalisa Perea said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I respect anybody\u2019s ability to serve our community, I find this quite disturbing.\u201d The conference, held during a weekday while school was in session, was rebuked by school officials.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to be unequivocally clear: Our school had absolutely nothing to do with this event. Mr. Campos was not invited. Mr. Campos is not affiliated with our academy. His presence was not welcome,\u201d the school said in a statement.<\/p>\n It remains unclear whether Campos is subject to any specific court orders, restraining orders or individualized restrictions related to his offense. California DOJ<\/p>\n \u201cWe are not taking this lightly. We are actively pursuing every available legal measure to safeguard our students and ensure no legal boundaries are crossed.<\/p>\n \u201cStudent safety is not a political issue; it is a fundamental right that we will defend without hesitation,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n Campos said during the conference that the school was closed at the time and therefore he was not violating any rules.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say during operational hours, absolutely,\u201d he said when a reporter asked about his proximity to the elementary academy.<\/p>\n \u201cThe equal protection clause does not apply to only the popular. And the right to seek public office does not depend on whether those in power approve of you.\u201d<\/p>\n He described the council\u2019s response as \u201cinstitutional overreach.\u201d<\/p>\n The church outside where the conference was held also did not back Campos. Bishop Joseph Brennan and the Diocese of Fresno strongly condemned his decision.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the event occurred on a public sidewalk, the Diocese takes seriously its unwavering commitment to Child & Youth protection,\u201d the statement from the Diocese read.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Campos independently and irresponsibly chose the location for the press conference and used the Catholic Church and the school as props in his theater of politics.\u201d<\/p>\n The city of Fresno is now stirred in controversy, with the spotlight on public safety \u2014 especially for minors \u2014 and the question of who is legally allowed to run for and serve in public office in California.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was not only a potential violation of the legal restrictions placed upon him as a registered sex offender, but a profound breach of the trust and safety our school community depends on every single day,\u201d the superintendent of the school district said in a statement alongside the elementary school.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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