After hearing testimony from three of Refugio Llamas’s most vehement political opponents, a Merced County Superior Court judge extended a restraining order against the candidate for mayor through Oct. 31.
The order was sought by councilmember Brett Jones on June 19 — two weeks after an incident that occurred immediately after the June 5 Los Banos City Council meeting had adjourned.
Judge Jennifer O. Trimble could have vacated the order but chose to extend it. However, Trimble modified the order to allow Llamas to attend and speak at council meetings. She said that if no further incidents occur through Oct. 31, the order would be vacated.
The restraining order appears to be based on a “grab” or an “inadvertent touch,” depending on who is describing the incident.
Llamas, a former city councilmember and frequent critic of the current council, told the judge that the request for a restraining order was politically motivated — “a concerted effort to silence my campaign” for mayor. Llamas is running to unseat Paul Llanez, one of the two people who sat with Jones in the courtroom and testified on his behalf.
Llamas is involved in a campaign to recall Jones and Doug Begonia Jr. from the city council – forcing them to defend their seats in the Nov. 5 election.
Llamas was also active in the effort to defeat measures H and G – backed by Jones and Llanez – that would have extended the mayor’s term from two to four years and made the city clerk an appointed rather than elected position. Both measures lost overwhelmingly in March.
The judge did not respond to Llamas’s assertion that the restraining order was politically motivated.
In requesting the order, Jones described an encounter that occurred just after the June 5 council meeting was adjourned and the YouTube feed turned off. Jones said Llamas approached him as he walked off the dais.
Llamas recounted their conversation at that point: “Mr. Jones said I needed to correct my behavior and that before I said anything else, I needed to check with him first.” Llamas said Jones called him “a liar” and accused him of “creating a lot of confusion with voters.”
What happened next was disputed during the hearing.
As the aisle toward the exit narrowed, Llamas said Jones stopped abruptly blocking the path. Llamas said his two knee braces made it difficult to step around Jones. At that point, Llamas said he brushed Jones’ elbow, and told Jones, “If you attempt to stop my exit, I will defend myself.”
Jones said Llamas followed him off the dais toward the door then grabbed his elbow while making threatening comments – inviting him to step outside so Llamas could “kick my ass.” Jones said he turned only after Llamas grabbed his elbow.
Jones’ account was confirmed by Mayor Llanez and councilman Kenneth Lambert.
Lambert, who wears a hearing aid, said he was two people behind Llamas but “actually heard a few of the words,” including “’We could take this outside.’” Lambert said he did not see Jones stop abruptly.
Mayor Llanez said he was still sitting on the dais when he saw Llamas grab Jones’ elbow at the front of the room and that Jones “immediately spun around.”
“I have 20 years’experience in law enforcement,” Llanez told the judge, “and I thought, ‘We’re going to have a fight in the city council chambers.’”
Llamas, 57, disputed that he threatened Jones, saying he is classified as 100 percent disabled after a 30-year career in the Marine Corps and that engaging in “physical violence” would likely “result in a trip to the emergency room.”
While no fight occurred, Llamas proceeded to the lobby where a heated exchange with city manager Josh Pinheiro ensued.
Though Jones filed for the restraining order on June 19, Llamas did not learn of it until July 17. Llamas told Judge Trimble that he and Jones were standing near each other during a city celebration on June 29 without incident.
Asked if he was satisfied with the outcome, Jones responded “no comment” as he left the courthouse.
Tensions have been high since early 2023 when the city council voted 4-1 to rehire Pinheiro then give him $1.8 million despite the city’s insurance company having recommended against it.
It was learned last week that a Sacramento law firm was also consulted about the validity of Pinheiro’s claim, and that it too recommended the city not pay. But Llanez, Lambert, Jones and Begonia rejected both the legal and professional advice. Llamas, who served two years on the council until losing an election to Begonia in 2022, announced his candidacy for mayor last year. Former mayor Mike Amabile is also running for mayor.
