Why – and how – the 'brothers' met with Garcia

Devonn Bradley responded early Tuesday morning to a request for comment on the meeting between him, his brother and Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia last Wednesday night in Bakersfield. He described the altercation this way:

"We didn't meet up with him to fight; we even told him we didn't want to hurt him. His claims are nonsense. He kept reaching into his bag as if he had a weapon. Naturally, anyone would defend themselves in that situation. Plus, this is a man who came to meet a 15-year-old. He also brought weed, a pipe, a full bottle of alcohol, sex paraphernalia, and a bottle we looked up called 'poppers' with four to five pills floating at the bottom, which was very suspicious. Our theory is that he wanted to drug this kid and do things like he said in that audio recording."

He went on, "We just catch predators, ask them why and what they're doing here, and release the videos to the public so people know who they are and can report them. We've done this many times before, but it's the mayor this time, so it's much bigger."

Devonn Bradley and a lifelong friend who he calls his "brother," who goes by "Wess," connected with Garcia on the gay dating app Sniffies. Bradley says he communicated with Garcia for two days before meeting in Bakersfield. Both Bradley and Wess say they are 26.

Wess tried to explain why they were doing these setups.

"I grew up rough, surrounded by a lot of negativity, but I'm a changed man now. I have kids of my own whom I love deeply with my whole soul. We saw these videos circulating on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and decided to try them in different cities. We just happened to catch one in Bakersfield, and discovering it was the mayor is still so insane — it blows my mind."

Bradley provided the Tribune with a screenshot of a $25 Cash App payment he claims to have received from Garcia while posing as the 15-year-old boy. This payment was allegedly intended to silence him.

"We were texting in the morning the day we were going to meet, and because I didn't respond for a couple of hours, I think he got nervous. Then I texted back, and he said, 'I thought you were going to tell on me, but you weren't, so I have a surprise for you.' Then he asked me if I had a Cash App account; if I didn't, he could help me make one. But I told him I had one, so he asked for my Cash App name. I gave it to him, and he sent $25, putting 'sorry' in the description, apologizing for thinking I was reporting him to someone."

Additionally, Bradley shared with the Tribune a Snapchat audio clip containing profanities that he claims features Garcia's voice – confirmed by several individuals who know the mayor – making explicit comments and sounds directed toward the minor.

He also provided screenshots of what he alleges are text exchanges between the minor and Garcia on the Sniffies app.

In the exchange, Bradley maintains that it is Garcia that says, “looking for younger,” while, he posing as the minor, says, “I’m super young tho’, is that ok?” Garcia’s response, “Hellaaa. Daddy loves it,” at which, Bradley responds, “I’m under 18.”

Bradley asserts that even after it is clear to Garcia that he is engaging with a minor, he still agrees to meet.