Moment California mayor is brutally-beaten by 'homophobic' vigilantes who accused him of trying to meet underage boy

A central California mayor has been accused of trying to meet with two teenagers for sex, but he claims he is the victim of a homophobic attack.

Viral footage supposedly shows Wasco mayor Alex Garcia being attacked by a group of vigilantes after he tried to meet with a minor, as reported by The San Joaquin Valley Sun.

The video was posted on by a Facebook page called 'Bakersfield Crime Watch' and shows at least two men pushing and slapping Garcia as they tell him they're going to call the police on him and to 'not touch little boys anymore.'

Garcia is heard replying: 'I’m sorry. Please no. I never will.'

The posters claimed Garcia had been trying to meet with a boy and girl, both 15, and wanted to 'do horrific things.'

Viral footage supposedly shows Wasco mayor Alex Garcia being attacked by a group of vigilantes after he tried to meet with a minor

But Garcia's lawyer told the Wasco Tribune that the mayor may have been 'lured' into the meeting by people looking to attack him for his sexual orientation

The anonymous group accused Garcia of claiming he was brining 'poppers,' condoms, marijuana and other sex toys. 

But Garcia's lawyer told the Wasco Tribune that the mayor may have been 'lured' into the meeting by people looking to attack him for his sexual orientation.

Attorney Jared Thompson said: 'I advised [Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. 

'Based on the information we have available right now, it appears to be a situation where two individuals tricked Alex and lured him to a location in Bakersfield and then attacked him.

'The video that is circulating shows felony conduct on the part of the individuals, not Alex. Based on Alex’s sexual orientation, it appears that this could have been some kind of hate crime or homophobic attack. Essentially, we hope that any criminal investigation would focus on that.'

The Bakersfield Police Department has reportedly put a request with the video's original posters but has not heard back

The footage appears to have been taken in the city of Bakersfield, a 30 minute drive from Waco

Garcia has deleted his social media account and is not responding to media requests. 

Wasco officials said they are 'very concerned' about the video and are cooperating with the the Bakersfield Police Department.

The footage appears to have been taken in the city of Bakersfield, a 30 minute drive from Waco. 

The Bakersfield Police Department has reportedly put a request with the video's original posters but has not heard back. 

Garcia recently ran for Kern County supervisor but was voted a distant third place.

He was arrested for driving under the influence in 2021 but the charge was dropped after a report showed his blood-alcohol content did not exceed the legal limit.

Garcia was removed from office after the DUI charge but reinstated in December.