Brian Hawkins, a San Jacinto city councilmember and congressional candidate, has been arrested on suspicion of felony assault with intent to cause great bodily injury and corporal punishment of a child.
Hawkins, who was elected in November 2020, was arrested in Lake Elsinore at 4:51 p.m. Sunday, July 2, by the San Jacinto Police Department, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department jail records.
RELATED: Riverside Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes arrested on suspicion of DUI
Hawkins, 44, could not immediately be reached for comment by early Monday afternoon.
The city of San Jacinto confirmed his arrest Monday, July 3, with a news release that called it an “ongoing criminal investigation.” The city said it “takes the allegations against Mr. Hawkins seriously,” will cooperate with law enforcement and could not comment further or offer more details.
Officials with the Sheriff’s department, which has a contract to police San Jacinto, could not immediately be reached Monday to provide details on the circumstances surrounding Hawkins’ arrest.
San Jacinto Mayor Alonsa Ledezma declined to comment.
Hawkins’ arrest came one day after the arrest of Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, on suspicion of DUI. Cervantes, who hopes to replace her sister Sabrina Cervantes in the state Assembly in the 2024 election, issued a statement Saturday, July 1, apologizing for making “an irresponsible decision.”
Hawkins ran as a Republican against Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, in 2022 and received 42.6% of the vote to Ruiz’s 57.4%.
In May, Hawkins filed papers to run for Congress next year as a Democrat against Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona. He said he switched parties because “I really wasn’t being true to myself as I was running on a Republican platform. I was running on a party agenda, not an American agenda that includes all people.”
Jason Gagnon, a Calvert campaign spokesman, declined Monday to comment on Hawkins’ arrest.
Besides Hawkins, Democrat Will Rollins is challenging Calvert in 2024 in the 41st Congressional District, which includes Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Indian Wells, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Menifee, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Wildomar and parts of Corona, Eastvale and Riverside.
Lake Elsinore City Councilmember Tim Sheridan had announced plans to run in the 41st, but suspended his campaign in May.
Hawkins’ arrest was made on Hibiscus Lane in Lake Elsinore, according to the jail log, which provided no specific address for the arrest. He was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley.
A court date for Hawkins is set for Thursday, July 6, according to the jail booking log.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
