Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia is facing calls to resign amid allegations that he sought out sexual activities with a person he believed to be underage.
As Bakersfield Now reports, a video has been circulating on social media which purports to show Garcia caught in a vigilante child predator sting.
The video labeled “Child Predators” shows two men telling Garcia "to stop meeting up with little kids" and "meeting up with little boys". Moments later Garcia is smacked in the face.
It’s unknown when this video was taken or what happened before or after.
Since the video was posted Garcia has deleted both his Facebook and Instagram accounts and he's since lawyered up with Humphrey and Thompson attorneys at law.
The vigilantes have shared purported messages and cash app exchanges which they say prove Garcia was seeking out sex with a minor. Police in Bakersfield, where the incident occurred, have not yet confirmed their story.
The City of Wasco has said it is “very concerned” about the allegations and that it is cooperating with the Bakersfield Police Department. The local Democratic Party has called on Garcia to resign so that the city can continue serving the public “without distraction.”
Garcia’s attorney said his client was tricked into meeting at the location so that he could be attacked by the two individuals. His attorney is calling it “some kind of hate crime or homophobic attack.”
Garcia is Wasco’s first openly gay mayor. He was removed from his position in 2021 after a drunk driving arrest, but reinstated in December.