Mass raids across oil boomtown where council clings to power despite furious uprising

A sweeping series of law enforcement raids hit the Central California city of Avenal on Wednesday as investigators searched City Hall, a community center and multiple homes linked to the town’s embattled leadership.

The move dramatically escalates a months-long political crisis after local elected officials refused to relinquish power despite being overwhelmingly recalled by voters.

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office, working alongside the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants at seven locations across the city as part of what prosecutors described only as an active investigation.

Authorities have not disclosed what evidence investigators were seeking, whether anything was seized or if any arrests are expected.

Among the locations searched were Avenal City Hall, the city’s community center and at least four private homes, according to ABC30.

Residents said the properties appeared to be connected to Mayor Alvaro Preciado, City Manager Antony Lopez and several members of the city council, though the District Attorney’s Office has not confirmed the specific locations or whether the investigation is tied to the city’s bitter recall battle.

Witnesses described a large law enforcement presence descending on the small Kings County community early Wednesday.

“There were sheriff’s vehicles. There was an undercover vehicle. It was all there,” recall organizer Ginger Wallis told local television stations.

Wallis, who has spearheaded the campaign to remove the council members, said she viewed the searches as a turning point after more than a year of political turmoil.

“It’s about time they’re doing something because we’ve been fighting for this for over a year,” she said.

“I’m happy this is happening so that we can move forward and rebuild our community,” Wallis added. “They don’t want to step down, so as community members have complained we want to know what they are hiding. Why won’t they step down? There has to be a reason why.”

The dramatic raids come as Avenal — a former oil boomtown of about 13,000 residents roughly 60 miles southwest of Fresno — remains embroiled in an unprecedented fight over who legally controls city government.

The crisis began after an April 28 recall election in which voters overwhelmingly backed removing Mayor Preciado and council members Leticia Gamez, Pablo Hernandez and David Reynosa, with each recall measure receiving more than 76% support. The results were certified in May.

Rather than stepping down, however, three of the recalled officials voted during a June council meeting to reject the election results and remain in office, arguing Kings County lacked legal authority to administer the recall because the city never formally authorized the election.

The extraordinary move ignited outrage among residents and plunged the city into weeks of legal battles. California Attorney General Rob Bonta later authorized a quo warranto action, allowing recall supporters to ask a judge to determine whether the four officials can legally continue serving.

The dispute has also become increasingly volatile, with packed council meetings erupting into shouting matches, accusations of racism and reports of threats directed at elected officials and city employees.

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office has previously inserted itself into the dispute, including issuing a cease-and-desist letter over city spending and filing a Brown Act lawsuit against the city last year, though prosecutors have not said whether Wednesday’s searches are connected to those actions.

Attorneys representing city officials have advised council members and employees not to comment publicly while the investigation remains active, although several appeared visibly distressed as investigators searched their homes.

Earlier this week, Preciado defended his decision to remain in office.

“If we acknowledge this illegal recall election as a legal recall election I won’t be there, none of the other people will be there, the city needs to continue moving every single day providing services to our community,” he said.

City Manager Lopez likewise argued the case should move through the courts before any officials are removed.

“Because this is an ex parte petition we don’t feel that this should be moved so quickly, i think there needs to be a thorough review of nuances throughout the case,” Lopez said.

Avenal City Hall is expected to reopen Thursday, while the recalled officials are scheduled to return to court on July 9 as the high-stakes battle over the city’s leadership continues.

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