Fresno councilmember blames GOP politicians for safety concerns that led to restraining order

A Fresno County Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against a Fresno man who allegedly harassed Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias and stalked his children.

Judge Mark Cullers ordered Larry Frank Hinojoza to stay 100 yards away from Arias and his family members, their homes, Fresno City Hall, Arias’ children’s school and Arias’ vehicle. The judge handed down the restraining order Monday.

Hinojoza also is ordered not to contact Arias in any way for five years. Hinojoza also was ordered to turn in any firearms to Fresno Police Department.

Arias said Hinojoza began sending him unsolicited communications about a year ago, including Facebook messages, phone calls and text messages. In most of the messages, Hinojoza wanted to share what Arias called “conspiracy theories” about Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and the police department.

Hinojoza attempted to talk to Arias and other councilmembers in person at Fresno City Hall but was denied access to the building, Arias said.

“They kept them out because PD has known him for 20 years as somebody who is unstable,” Arias said.

Hinjoza began putting up posters on downtown light poles with his messages to city councilmembers. City code enforcement teams removed them, Arias said.

In June, Hinojoza began parking his car outside the house where Arias’ children live with their mother. At one point, he knocked on the door.

Fueled by political rhetoric?

Arias said he believes the harassment he receives is sparked by unsubstantiated political rhetoric aired on certain media outlets.

In text messages, Hinojoza referenced remarks made by Councilmember Garry Bredefeld calling Arias anti-police, Arias said.

“It’s these kinds of behaviors that lead people to believe that they have to either confront us or prove (the politicians) to be right,” Arias said. “Your language matters, your rhetoric matters.”

Some instances were serious enough to require police protection for his children, he said.

“In the past four years, my family and I have received numerous threats to our safety,” Arias said. “They have primarily come from folks outside the city and my district in response of KMJ and KSEE 24 segments with false claims by one of our peers that the city council is anti-police or corrupt. Some have been serious enough that it required police protection for my kids.”

Arias, a Democrat, specifically called out Bredefeld and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, both Republicans, for their rhetoric when expressing political differences with the Democratic majority of the Fresno City Council.

“Their intentional agenda to make us public enemy No. 1, magnified by their conservative radio supporters to their followers, has empowered mentally unstable people to act upon their hate,” Arias said.

When reached for comment, Bredefeld repeated a number of instances in which he’s called Arias corrupt, including when he criticized Arias’ use of his city credit card and his ties to a downtown developer, Terance Frazier.

“I could go on and on,” Bredefeld said.

“Nearly every council meeting, Arias attacks people in my district based on their race, socioeconomic status and where they live in the city,” Bredefeld said. “He also attacks our heroic police officers, and I will continue to defend them and my constituents.”

Bredefeld said since he has expressed his conservative views at City Hall or on social media, Arias has attacked him. Bredefeld said he and his family also have received threats.

“Unlike Arias, I don’t play victim and whine about it to The Fresno Bee or anyone else,” Bredefeld said. “I just ensure that my family and I are protected and I will continue to do so.

“My advice to Arias: If you don’t want to be called a corrupt politician and criticized, stop being corrupt and get out of the political arena.”

A spokesperson for Smittcamp said in a statement Arias’ claims about the district attorney’s speech lacked specificity.

“We are bothered to hear that members of the public are causing Mr. Arias to have security concerns,” the statement said. “As a public servant, Mr. Arias should never have to worry about his or his family’s safety.”

Hinojoza is not the first person to harass Arias or threaten other local elected officials.

In 2020, a group of social media streamers and COVID lockdown protesters showed up to Arias’ downtown condo while his children were there napping. They confronted him about coronavirus-related business closures before heading, more calmly, to then-Mayor Lee Brand’s home in north Fresno.

Steps for safety

Seeking the temporary restraining order against Hinojoza is just one step Arias has taken to protect the safety of his children, he said.

Other steps include: blocking social media users who make threats; reducing his children’s attendance to public events; ensuring city staff follow safety protocols; making public statements about how false claims and extreme rhetoric can cause direct safety threats; and securing a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

“As a father, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of my kids and hold those responsible accountable,” Arias said. “I intend to continue doing just that.”