CJ Barham, Professional motorcycle stunt rider in Tijuana prison
CJ Barham's family claims a gun was planted on motorcycle rider after he evaded police.
His mom said: “He may be a reckless motorcycle rider and a party boy, but he's not a criminal. He doesn't belong in a high security
prison.”
ROSARITO BEACH, Baja California — A professional, motorcycle stunt rider from Sacramento is behind bars in Tijuana, charged with evading arrest and
possession of a handgun.
CJ Barham, 29, has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts videos of the stunts he performs on his custom Harley Davidson.
He has appeared at car and motorcycle shows, doing donuts, wheelies and other tricks for the crowds.
But when he takes his show on public roadways, the stunts become illegal.
When he crossed the border last month into Mexico to attend a rally, his motorcycle riding turned into a police chase in Rosarito Beach.
“They were trying to knock CJ off of his bike with their police trucks, and one succeeded in blocking him. They jumped out and pulled the pistols on
him and he went off the embankment and crashed,” said Susan Barham, CJ’s mother.
The mother does not approve of her son's stunt riding on public roads, but when she found out he was charged with possession of a handgun in Mexico,
she said she knew he was being set up.
“That gun didn't surface until after CJ was taken into custody. There was no gun at the scene of the crime,” she said. “He doesn't have guns or
own guns. He's just a motorcycle rider.”
The stunt rider’s father initially tried to intervene with authorities in Tijuana, according to the mother.
“His father flew down immediately when CJ said he got arrested and took some cash with him and proceeded to try to pay a fine to get him out of
jail,” Susan Barham said. She and the father are divorced.
Possession of a handgun in Mexico is federal offense, so CJ was transferred to La Mesa prison in Tijuana.
Two weeks ago, his mother was able to visit him for four hours.
“He’s scared. He's never gone through anything like this. So, he's already lost probably 10 or 15 pounds just in 20 days. They eat soup every day.
They don't get a solid meal,” she said.
Barham has hired a pair of attorneys in Tijuana to help her get her son released.
“First of all, we will never return to Mexico ever after this. Secondly, he comes from a family that has law enforcement. So, he has respect for
them. At the same time, he doesn't want to get in trouble,” the mother said. “He may be a reckless motorcycle rider and a party boy, but he's not
a criminal. He doesn't belong in a high security prison.”
A planted gun is not that unusual, it happens here in the US all the time.
JohnSFandH - 9-22-2022 at 11:45 AM
August 29, El Imparcial newspaper. Google translation:
The other arrest took place during the day on Saturday, when the driver of a motorcycle who did not have plates was arrested, who tried to flee after
struggling with a Municipal Police officer.
The motorcyclist lost control of the unit in the Benito Juárez neighborhood, right on a mound of earth, the detainee was identified as Barham Charles
"N", 29, of American origin, who got angry with the agents, throwing punches and kicked, but even so, he was finally handcuffed and taken to the
cells.
In a backpack, the man carried a .9-millimeter square-type pistol with 9 useful cartridges.
A planted gun is not that unusual, it happens here in the US all the time.
John
Many gringos are gun nuts, have gun fetishes, carry guns everywhere, and are unaware that guns are regulated in most other countries. These clueless
fools go to mexico without thinking, carrying guns. They then get in trouble and and have adventures in learning how things are different in other
countries!
They need to look on the bright side of life: prison is a great immersion program for learning spanish!John Harper - 9-22-2022 at 12:54 PM
Yes, stupid is as stupid does. This guy fits the pattern. Similar to Britney Griner and her vapes.
JohnDon Pisto - 9-22-2022 at 01:50 PM
mom says he's a good boy, doesn't play with guns and just rides motorcycles.
[Edited on 9-22-2022 by Don Pisto]advrider - 9-22-2022 at 10:53 PM
Dumb move. One thing to go and act like an ass in Mexico but it's a whole other issue when you do it with a gun in your bag! Yep, he'll learn Spanish
fast...
[Edited on 9-23-2022 by advrider]caj13 - 9-23-2022 at 05:37 AM
Guns have serial numbers - and paperwork where was it purchased, by whom, and when. That would most likely settle the "planted on him " story
pretty quicklymtgoat666 - 9-23-2022 at 06:46 AM
Guns have serial numbers - and paperwork where was it purchased, by whom, and when. That would most likely settle the "planted on him " story
pretty quickly
Guns may start out with paperwork “in the system,” but who knows how/where he bought the gun or if he registered the gun…. David K - 9-23-2022 at 07:02 AM
Nice photos advrider, but maybe post them in a better (trip reports or photo gallery) thread to find in the future? JZ - 9-23-2022 at 07:51 AM
Yes, stupid is as stupid does. This guy fits the pattern. Similar to Britney Griner and her vapes.
John
Fits the pattern of everyone in the US who doesn't comply with police orders.
advrider - 9-23-2022 at 08:11 AM
I didn't post those. I just looked back to read the new posts and saw them? Weird, they must have saved from a previous post and reposted?
Removed..... John Harper - 9-23-2022 at 10:10 AM
Yes, stupid is as stupid does. This guy fits the pattern. Similar to Britney Griner and her vapes.
John
Fits the pattern of everyone in the US who doesn't comply with police orders.
Gotta agree with you on that!
JohnSFandH - 9-23-2022 at 04:16 PM
The guy is screwed. Just think, all he needed to do was say "yes sir" and he would be having an afternoon beer with his buddies right now.
I can't imagine what the TJ La Mesa federal prison is like. It must be full of the dumbest, craziest, most violent thugs there are, and very few
gringos. Yikes!Don Pisto - 10-4-2022 at 11:31 AM
Same behavior in the states, often leads to getting shot by police.
He is fortunate the mexican police showed more restraint.surabi - 10-4-2022 at 01:39 PM
Just another American redneck who thinks Mexico is his personal playground and he doesn't have to show respect for anything or anyone.John Harper - 10-4-2022 at 01:47 PM
“I've never owned a gun and never had a gun,” said Barham.
As part of the deal, Barham would have to plead guilty to the firearm charge and serve 30 days in custody.
