California mayor accused of stalking hairstylist over ICE suspicions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 19:57 · Archive

The mayor of Kerman, California allegedly followed a hairstylist for nearly 30 minutes, accusing him of working as an ICE agent.

Maria Pacheco, mayor of Kerman in the Fresno area, allegedly followed hairstylist Eric Bridges for nearly 30 minutes on 14 October. She blocked his vehicle and confronted him, accusing him of secretly working as an ICE agent, according to a criminal complaint.

Surveillance footage captured an orange Nissan Altima following a white car through a residential neighbourhood. Audio from the incident recorded Pacheco allegedly telling Bridges: 'I'm looking for ICE and you look like ICE.' When Bridges asked who she was, she reportedly replied only that she was 'someone important' without identifying herself. Bridges is heard on video angrily cursing at her as she drove away.

Bridges has submitted complaints to the Fresno Police Department and Fresno County District Attorney's Office. His attorney confirmed his client has no connection to ICE and intends to file charges against Pacheco for the allegations.

How it is being reported

• Moment mayor allegedly followed stranger around and accused him of being an ICE agent... only to find out he's actually a hairdresserMaria Pacheco, the mayor of Kerman, near Fresno, allegedly followed hairstylist Eric Bridges for 25 minutes in her car.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 19:39
• Unhinged California mayor accused of stalking hairstylist in weird ‘role-playing’ scenarioThe mayor of a town in the Fresno area tailed a hairstylist earlier this month, accusing him of secretly acting as an ICE agent.New York Post · 20 Oct, 19:01

In this story: Maria Pacheco · Eric Bridges · Kerman · Fresno · California · ICE

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