GREENFIELD, Calif. - A man asking for your vote is linked to the Nuestra Familia Gang, drug charge and a major gang sweep. We have new information about Greenfield City Council Candidate Francisco Garcia. He told Central Coast News he was surprised police arrested him in April during Operation Knockout. Now, he wants the Greenfield community to know they shouldn't judge his arrest on how they vote this November 2nd.
"They can say what they want about going back and forth to the drug house. You know if anything was happening anywhere, I didn't have any idea about it," said Garcia.
Investigators say they have video and cell phone recordings of Francisco Garcia hanging around an alleged drug house, and talking to members of the Nuestra Familia. This is a mug shot they sent us after operation knockout you can tell it's not very clear, but we thought it was important to show it to you. Garcia faces federal charges on drug conspiracy. But he said police have it wrong.
"I don't have any gang ties or arrests with any type of gangs at all. I mean I know I have a charge for delaying an Officer or something like that, I think it's that but I'm not sure." Garcia
Central coast news asked Garcia if he's linked to anyone in a gang.
"I don't know I talk to so many people, you know and whatever everyone's involved in I wouldn't know about it. You know what I mean? I could be in the store talking to someone under investigation and they'll take a picture of me talking to them while we're in the store," said Garcia.
Garcia is one of seven candidates running for Greenfield City Council. He wants to bring more green jobs to the south county city, but knows his arrest could affect how people vote.
"Before it was innocent before proven guilty and now you have to prove your innocence because the perceptions have changed and people are actually guilty until proven innocent," said Garcia.
Garcia said he plans on talking to his attorney next week and plans on fighting the charge.
