Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco accused of harassing resident

Maria Pacheco, the mayor of Kerman, California, has been accused of following and harassing a local resident, Eric Bridges, after mistakenly identifying him as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

According to a formal complaint filed by Bridges, a Fresno resident and hairstylist, the incident involved Pacheco following his vehicle in an orange car for approximately 25 minutes. Bridges alleges that the vehicle closely followed him, took photographs of his car, and at one point blocked him into a parking spot near a park.

The confrontation reportedly concluded at his sister’s residence, where Pacheco allegedly told Bridges, “Don’t worry about who I am, I’m someone important […] I’m looking for ICE, and you look like ICE.” Bridges stated that he has since received threats from individuals who believe he is an ICE agent. Pacheco has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.