Albert Marquecho
Albert Marquecho, 28, of Newton, is charged with misdemeanor resisting a public officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in a public building, according to court documents. Marquecho, known online as Slaqks Garcia, was filming at the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles driver license office located at 309 Pine Mountain Road on March 19.
Marquecho was initially filming in the lobby area of the DMV, but later went into a restricted area where license testing is conducted and private information is displayed. He was asked by the DMV to take a number slip to be helped or move into the lobby where he was free to video according to a Highway Patrol spokesperson. DMV officials then asked for assistance from the SHP (N.C. State Highway Patrol) next door. He was asked politely to move to the lobby, where he was free to video and conduct his First Amendment right. He then stated he would not move unless under threat of arrest.”
Marquecho was arrested after being asked multiple times to move to the DMV lobby. The magistrate’s order authorizing Marquecho’s arrest said Marquecho “refused to turn off the camera he was recording with in a private area of the DMV.
On social media, Slaqks Garcia made a post that said he was advised not to talk about the incident until a court date. He was given a secured bond of $2,000. Marquecho posted bail the same day and was released from the Caldwell County Detention Center and is scheduled for district court on May 11th.
Story: Sarah Johnson, Hickory Daily Record