New Allen Mayor Pro Tem named after the former was arrested on child pornography charges and resigned

Allen City Council unanimously voted to elect Baine Brooks as the new Mayor Pro Tem on Feb. 23, following the resignation of longtime mayor pro tem Gary Caplinger, who was arrested on child pornography charges on Feb. 11 and subsequently resigned.

Brooks was first elected to the city council in 2012 to fill an unexpired term for Place 6 and was reelected in 2013, 2016 and 2019. He also serves on the Allen Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and the Allen USA Celebration Advisory Committee. Brooks also hosted a toy drive at his restaurant, TwoRows Classic Grill, during the holiday season and gathered more than 7,000 toys for children in need.

Brooks’ election to mayor pro tem finalizes Caplinger’s resignation from the position. Caplinger’s lawyer, Todd Shapiro, said previously that his client felt it was best to resign now instead of waiting until his term was up in May.

According to Collin County jail records, Caplinger, 56, was booked on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to promote child pornography. His bail was set at $80,000, and he posted bond a short time later. Records indicate that the alleged incidents occurred in August 2019 and March 2020.