TAMPA, Fla. – An elected official from Fowler is facing a criminal charge in Florida after he was accused of kissing another California elected official without consent while at a conference.
Daniel Parra, who has served on the Fowler City Council since 2008, was charged with one misdemeanor count of simple battery in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court on March 10. Through his attorney, Parra entered a plea of not guilty and waived his right to a formal arraignment and personal appearance before the court, which is located in Hillsborough County, Florida.
News of the charge was first reported by East Bay Insiders after San Leandro Vice Mayor Xouhoa Bowen spoke about the incident during the San Leandro City Council meeting on March 17. Bowen said she was “raising an issue of concern” regarding the incident once it had been made public.
Bowen said that while attending an event at the National League of Cities annual conference in Tampa, Florida, Parra “physically violated” her. She filed a report with the Tampa Police Department, which began a criminal investigation into Parra’s actions and led to the misdemeanor charge against him.
“I don’t have any further comment regarding the criminal investigation, the charges or the administrative investigation because I believe and respect that the legal process should proceed,” Bowen said.
According to the sworn request for prosecution included in the charge against Parra, Bowen and Parra, who know each other professionally, were at a social gathering at a downtown Tampa establishment called Hotel Bar on Nov. 13, 2024. Bowen and Parra greeted each other and spoke while casually dancing.
Bowen’s official statement went on to say that Parra made a sexually suggestive comment about her appearance and then leaned in and kissed her on the lips without her consent and without warning. The interaction ended immediately and Parra left the bar shortly after, Bowen’s statement said.
“I left in a state of shock,” Bowen’s statement said.
According to a statement provided by the investigating officer, the interaction between Bowen and Parra was captured on video surveillance and Bowen identified Parra in the video.
At the San Leandro council meeting, Bowen said it was not lost on her that earlier in the evening the council recognized Women’s History Month and highlighted the importance of addressing systemic barriers and biases women face.
“I want to send a very clear statement that such reprehensible behavior is absolutely unacceptable and will be held to account,” Bowen said. “The safety of everyone should be paramount, and with the support of my family, my colleagues and the city, we denounce this behavior.”
In addition to his status as a Fowler councilmember, Parra is the immediate past president of the League of California Cities and is the city manager of Orange Cove. Parra has been on leave from his position as city manager for more than a month.
When contacted for comment, Parra directed the Mid Valley Times to his attorney, Victoria Hatfield. Hatfield has not returned a request for comment as of press time.
