FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Fresno hairstylist is speaking out exclusively to FOX26 after accusing Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco of stalking and false imprisonment because she believed he was an ICE agent.
Eric Bridges says the encounter happened Oct. 14 while he was taking his usual drive through Kearney Park.
I do not work for ICE. I’m not a federal agent. I’m just a normal Fresno resident who works hard every day and I take care of my family,
Bridges told FOX26.
What happened?
Bridges says he noticed a woman in an orange car following him into Kearney Park in Fresno. He claims the driver started taking pictures of his car and eventually blocked him into a parking spot. He left the park, but says the woman continued following him to his sister’s home near Kearney Boulevard and Marks Avenue.
Surveillance video obtained by FOX26 shows the orange car circling a cul-de-sac before pulling alongside Bridges’ car. Bridges says he confronted the driver.
“I’m like, you’ve been following me for 25 minutes. I’m like, why are you following me?” Bridges recalled.
He says the woman questioned why he was driving through her neighborhood in an unmarked vehicle. Then came the accusation.
“She’s like, ‘I’m checking for ICE.’ She’s like, ‘Are you ICE?'” Bridges said.
Bridges drives a Mercedes-Benz SUV with a temporary DMV permit displayed in the rear window. His attorney, Roger Bonakdar, questioned how that could have led Pacheco to believe Bridges worked for federal immigration enforcement.
“You don’t need a DMV temporary tag if you’re a Fed,” Bonakdar said.
Bridges says he started recording the encounter on his phone. When his sister asked the woman to identify herself, he claims she responded, “I’m somebody important.” He says she then flipped them off and drove away.
Bridges told FOX26 he did not know the woman was Kerman’s mayor until someone recognized her in the video. Bridges says he now fears for his safety as he has received threats since the encounter. FOX26 has not independently verified those threats.
He explains how he no longer feels comfortable driving his car or attending his family’s activities.
“I’m looking over my shoulder, like, what’s going on?” Bridges said. “I don’t even feel safe driving my car right now because it’s all over the news.”
Bridges says he decided to hire an attorney about two days after the incident.
Bonakdar requests criminal investigation
Bonakdar has submitted complaints to the Fresno Police Department and Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. He is asking them to investigate whether Pacheco’s alleged actions constitute stalking or false imprisonment under California law. The complaints point to allegations that Pacheco repeatedly followed Bridges and blocked his vehicle. The allegations have not been proven in court. The complaints are requests for an investigation, not criminal charges.
“Shameful conduct, reckless conduct, it’s the kind of conduct that gets people hurt. And she should apologize,” Bonakdar told FOX26. When FOX26 asked Bridges whether he believed Pacheco owed him an apology, he answered, “Absolutely.”
Bridges also confirmed Pacheco had not contacted him about the incident.
Kerman mayor has not responded to FOX26
FOX26 has repeatedly contacted Pacheco to offer her an opportunity to respond to the allegations, including before this exclusive interview aired.She has not responded to FOX26’s requests for comment.
Pacheco is also running for Fresno County supervisor.