In a shocking turn of events, Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia finds himself at the center of controversy after a group of self-proclaimed vigilantes accused him of attempting to meet with a minor. The group, known as "Bakersfield Crime Watch," released video footage on July 24 that purportedly captures Garcia arriving at a location to meet a 15-year-old boy he had been in contact with through Sniffies, a gay dating app. This incident has stirred significant unrest among local leaders and community members, prompting calls for Garcia's resignation.
The footage disseminated by Bakersfield Crime Watch shows Garcia equipped with items including condoms, marijuana, sex toys, and "poppers" (amyl nitrate), as claimed by Davonn Bradley, the individual responsible for posting the video. Bradley alleges that he and another man posed as teenagers online in an effort to expose individuals seeking illicit encounters with minors. Their confrontation with Garcia was marked by accusations and physical assault as they demanded he refrain from contacting youths in the future. Despite Garcia's pleas for mercy and insistence on his innocence, the footage has led to widespread condemnation.
Garcia's legal representation responded to the allegations by urging caution and reminding the public that investigations are ongoing. Attorney Jared Thompson suggested that Garcia might have been deceived into attending the meeting, which subsequently turned violent. Thompson also raised concerns about potential motivations behind the attack, speculating it could be rooted in homophobia or constitute a hate crime given Garcia's status as Wasco's first openly gay elected official.
Further complicating matters, Bradley provided evidence of communications between Garcia and the supposed minor alongside a financial transaction meant to ensure silence about their interaction. These revelations come after Garcia momentarily stepped down from his mayoral duties in 2021 following an arrest related to drunk driving—only to be reinstated later that year.
As this story unfolds, it remains clear that Wasco is grappling with a deeply troubling situation that challenges trust in its elected officials while highlighting broader issues related to online safety and predatory behavior. The community awaits further developments as investigations continue into whether Mayor Alex Garcia committed any crimes or if he himself was victimized in what his lawyer suggests could be an orchestrated attack fueled by prejudice.
CALIFORNIA MAYOR ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 15-YEAR-OLD BOY HE MET ON DATING APP
— Mark Chapman (@MC_IBTimesSG) August 1, 2024
Wasco mayor Alex Garcia was allegedly caught trying to meet a minor by a group of vigilantes who recorded themselves confronting and assaulting the official.
On July, 24, a Facebook group… pic.twitter.com/yUsRPyhFFf
The footage disseminated by Bakersfield Crime Watch shows Garcia equipped with items including condoms, marijuana, sex toys, and "poppers" (amyl nitrate), as claimed by Davonn Bradley, the individual responsible for posting the video. Bradley alleges that he and another man posed as teenagers online in an effort to expose individuals seeking illicit encounters with minors. Their confrontation with Garcia was marked by accusations and physical assault as they demanded he refrain from contacting youths in the future. Despite Garcia's pleas for mercy and insistence on his innocence, the footage has led to widespread condemnation.
Garcia's legal representation responded to the allegations by urging caution and reminding the public that investigations are ongoing. Attorney Jared Thompson suggested that Garcia might have been deceived into attending the meeting, which subsequently turned violent. Thompson also raised concerns about potential motivations behind the attack, speculating it could be rooted in homophobia or constitute a hate crime given Garcia's status as Wasco's first openly gay elected official.
Further complicating matters, Bradley provided evidence of communications between Garcia and the supposed minor alongside a financial transaction meant to ensure silence about their interaction. These revelations come after Garcia momentarily stepped down from his mayoral duties in 2021 following an arrest related to drunk driving—only to be reinstated later that year.
As this story unfolds, it remains clear that Wasco is grappling with a deeply troubling situation that challenges trust in its elected officials while highlighting broader issues related to online safety and predatory behavior. The community awaits further developments as investigations continue into whether Mayor Alex Garcia committed any crimes or if he himself was victimized in what his lawyer suggests could be an orchestrated attack fueled by prejudice.
