El Centro Mayor Edgard Garcia was arraigned on criminal charges related to his being cited for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Mayor Garcia was stopped by an El Centro Police officer on May 7, 2019. Garcia was suspected of driving under the influence. The Imperial County District Attorney's Office requested the California Department of Justice take the case to avoid any possible conflict of interest. On June 4, 2019 , the California Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Mr. Garcia in Imperial County Superior Court. The complaint alleges that Garcia drove while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level greater that .08 percent. The complaint alleges Garcia's blood alcohol level was over .15 percent. According to the State Attorney General's Office , a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.