Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr was reportedly detained while officials searched his house amid an ongoing investigation into corruption allegations in the city, witnesses said per the Los Angeles Times.
Kerr was seen escorted from his house in handcuffs Tuesday morning and, while there are conflicting reports as to whether he was placed under arrest, an FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents had been executing federal search warrants in the city.
City Hall and the Jet Room, a medical marijuana dispensary, also were the subjects of search warrants as FBI agents seek to widen the scope of their investigations launched last year after Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright was accused of accepting bribes to fast-track a marijuana business.
It is not immediately clear what investigators were looking for in their searchers and city spokesman Michael Stevens said officials were "unaware of the nature of the FBI's investigation," according to the Victorville Daily Press.
Stevens said authorities were reportedly interested in only the mayor's office at City Hall, and that the vicinity was shuttered up Tuesday but was expected to be back to normal operations as of Wednesday.
"The city will continue to work with law enforcement as their investigation proceeds," he added.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed to CBS Los Angeles that the raids had been conducted in support of search warrants, although further information could not be revealed as they are currently under seal.
Jet Room's involvement in the corruption scandal is unclear, however, according to The Los Angeles Times, the business drew controversy last year when Councilman John "Bug" Woodard reportedly acted as a broker when the property for the business was purchased and later re-zoned to allow for the dispensary.
His involvement in the transaction raised questions over whether Woodard was aware that the former Jet Room would be turned into something more lucrative, the Victorville Daily Press noted.
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