Kelvin McFarland is known to many in Pasadena as Sarge Mac -- a passionate advocate for at-risk teens. Now McFarland sits in a jail cell accused of kidnapping.
Monday afternoon was the start of a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. McFarland will return to court Tuesday.
The courtroom was packed Monday with McFarland supporters, who also demonstrated outside the Pasadena Courthouse. Many of these supporters are families who have personal experiences with McFarland’s “Family 1st Growth Camp.”
McFarland is accused of picking up a 14 year old girl who was cutting school – handcuffing her – bringing her to her aunt’s house and then demanding $100 from the Aunt to enroll the girl in his program.
The girl, whose name is being withheld because of her age, testified that she went with McFarland because she thought he was law enforcement – but was also scared that he might not be.
Pasadena Police say that McFarland’s military attire in addition to how he spoke and his “badge” led the family to believe he was a truant officer and so they paid they money.
McFarland supporters say that they young girl had been talking to a truckload of men when McFarland intervened. McFarland took her to her aunts to keep her from danger and handcuffed her because she became violent. They adamantly defend the man they say is always there for them and who has saved many young people from a life of drugs and gangs.
McFarland is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and was a homeless vet for several years before turning his life around. He does have a long record of mostly alcohol related arrests going back nearly twenty years. He is currently being held on $285,000 bail.
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The preliminary hearing is expected to wrap up Tuesday.
