Officials React to Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez's Arrest on Felony Charges

Coachella Mayor Steven A. Hernandez, who also serves as Chief of Staff to Riverside County District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, was arrested Tuesday morning by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

According to jail records, Hernandez was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on multiple felony counts, including five counts of perjury, one felony count of conflict of interest, and four misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charges. His bail was set at $112,500, and he is scheduled to appear in court Thursday at the Indio Larson Justice Center.

When NBC Palm Springs visited Supervisor Perez’s office in La Quinta seeking comment, staff provided a statement:

“The allegations against Steven Hernandez are serious, and he has been placed on indefinite administrative leave from the County of Riverside. Although we are still waiting on more details, it’s our understanding that the charges are unrelated to his role in our office.”

A county communications representative declined to appear on camera, telling our crew on scene that both Perez and Hernandez were not in the office at the time.

During the visit, NBC Palm Springs also encountered Stephanie Virgen, a Coachella City Council member who additionally serves as a legislative analyst for Supervisor Perez’s team. Virgen declined to comment on the mayor’s arrest and closed the office door when pressed for a response.

The City of Coachella released a brief statement acknowledging the arrest, saying it is “aware of the allegations against Mayor Hernandez and is fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
At this time, there is no indication Hernandez intends to resign from his mayoral position.

Supervisor Perez’s office confirmed Hernandez has been placed on indefinite administrative leave, but officials have not announced any internal investigation or connection between the criminal case and Hernandez’s duties with the county. The District Attorney’s Office declined to share additional details, saying more information will be released in the coming days.

Hernandez has served as Mayor of Coachella since 2012 and has been active in city politics for nearly two decades. His dual role as both city mayor and county chief of staff has made him one of the region’s most prominent local government figures. The exact nature of the allegations remains unclear.

As this story develops, NBC Palm Springs will continue to provide updates both online and on-air.
Hernandez’s court appearance at the Indio Larson Justice Center is set for Thursday, though the exact time remains sealed. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says further details are expected soon.