FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) — Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco is accused of following a Fresno hairstylist for about 25 minutes and confronting him because she believed he was an immigration agent, according to complaints filed with local authorities.
Eric Bridges’ attorney, Roger Bonakdar, said the complaints were submitted Monday to the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County district attorney’s Public Integrity Unit. They ask authorities to investigate allegations including stalking and false imprisonment. No criminal charges or investigative findings have been announced.
Bridges said the encounter began Oct. 14 near Kearney Park, outside Fresno, when an orange vehicle began following him. He alleged the driver photographed his white Mercedes, blocked him in and continued following him into Fresno, eventually confronting him outside his sister’s home.
Surveillance video: Kerman mayor accused of stalking man mistaken for ICE agent (Courtesy Roger Bonakdar)
According to Bridges’ written statement, the driver told him, “Don’t worry about who I am, I’m someone important,” and, “I’m looking for ICE and you look like ICE.” Bridges said he later identified the driver as Pacheco after reviewing surveillance footage. KMPH reported that the footage shows the vehicles near the home where Bridges says he was confronted.
Bridges’ attorney said his client has never worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Homeland Security and has received threats from people who believe he is connected to ICE. Bonakdar said Bridges has also been told he is not welcome at his grandchildren’s soccer games.
The allegations came six days after Pacheco sent KMPH a video of herself confronting someone she identified as an ICE agent in Kerman. The video had received about 98,000 views on Facebook, the station reported. Pacheco is also running for Fresno County supervisor.
KMPH said it contacted Pacheco for comment but did not receive a response.