A California mayor is accused of pursuing a Fresno hairstylist and blocking his vehicle after mistaking him for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Eric Bridges says Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco followed him for approximately 25 minutes before confronting him outside his sister’s home. His attorney has submitted complaints seeking an investigation into the encounter. Bridges says he has never worked for ICE or the Department of Homeland Security.
The encounter allegedly occurred October 14th, beginning near Kearney Park and continuing into Fresno. Pacheco, who is also running for Fresno County supervisor, had previously recorded herself confronting someone she identified as an immigration agent. Bridges subsequently described his experience in a TikTok video, while his attorney, Roger Bonakdar, provided local reporters with surveillance footage and a written account.
Bridges said an orange vehicle began following him closely while its driver photographed his car. He pulled into a parking space, where the other vehicle allegedly blocked him in. When he eventually drove away, he said, the driver continued following him to his sister’s house. Bridges accused the woman of making an obscene gesture before leaving and said he recognized Pacheco after reviewing footage.
As the Daily Caller reported, Bridges detailed his allegations in a formal complaint. His signed statement placed the incident between 4 and 4:30 p.m. He said he was speaking with his sister by phone during the encounter at the park, describing the vehicle’s close pursuit and the photographs being taken. At one point, he alleged, the driver positioned her car facing his and made a call that he could hear through her vehicle’s speaker system.
Bridges said the driver later circled his sister’s cul-de-sac and blocked his vehicle from the side before asking who he was. He asked whether she worked for the police or the Department of Motor Vehicles, noting that his car had a DMV document in its rear window. According to his statement, she replied, “Don’t worry about who I am, I’m someone important,” then said, “I’m looking for ICE and you look like ICE.”
Bonakdar told FOX26 that Pacheco livestreamed part of the encounter and that Bridges subsequently received threats from people who believed he worked for immigration authorities. The attorney also said Bridges had been told he was unwelcome at his grandchildren’s soccer games. Discussing the consequences for his client, Bonakdar said, “You can’t put people in harm’s way because you want social media clout.”
Watch coverage of the encounter here:
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The complaints were submitted October 19th to the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit. Bonakdar requested an investigation into possible stalking and false imprisonment violations. FOX26 reported that Pacheco had not been criminally charged in connection with the allegations. The station also reported that she had sent it a separate video on October 8th showing her confronting a person she identified as an ICE agent.
Pacheco addressed the allegations in a statement to GV Wire on October 20th. She also discussed food shortages affecting local organizations and efforts to organize donations, volunteers and meals. On Bridges’ allegations, she said, “Regarding recent allegations, my only comment is this: If he wants to go to court, we will go to court.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.