Full Notification

DATE: September 6, 2022

INCIDENT: Holiday Marine Enforcement Operation

LOCATION: Colorado River, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead


SUMMARY: The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit, conducted its 2022 Labor Day Weekend Marine Enforcement Operation, September 2nd through September 5th. The operation was conducted along the Colorado River from the California/Nevada state line to the Riverside County line, as well as Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead. 

Most of the operation was focused on the waterways with resorts, launch ramps and marinas along the river and lakes. A total of eleven patrol vessels, an OHV team, the Sheriff's Dive Team, and two Sheriff's Department helicopters were deployed throughout the area. The Marine Enforcement unit conducted a total of 113 enforcement stops over the holiday weekend. There was a total of 9 arrests made for boating under the influence. The following are the names of the individuals arrested during the operation:

Aliaksandr Lashchou, 36 years old, Granada Hills, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Joe Sevila, 47 years old, La Puente, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Lee Wirte, 56 years old, Mustang, Ok. (boating under the influence)
Urbano Pantoja, 55 years old, Hesperia, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Jesus Valente, 29 years old, Westminster, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Jonathan Hinks, 25 years old, Kingman, Az. (boating under the influence)
Brent Buchan, 23 years old, Buena Park, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Keith Watts, 28 years old, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. (boating under the influence)
Donald Richter, 47 years old, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. (boating under the influence)

Approximately 38 citations were issued for various boating law violations as well as 100 verbal warnings. The Marine Enforcement Unit investigated two fatal boat accidents. One accident occurred on the Parker Strip near the Sundance Resort and the other on Lake Havasu during a severe monsoon storm. The Marine Enforcement Unit investigated two other minor injury boat accidents on Lake Havasu that resulted from watersport activities.  

The Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit urges all California residents to go online to www.californiaboatercard.com and take the online test to obtain their boater card which is now required by law. The Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit is, as always, dedicated to providing a safe boating atmosphere for the public and reminds everyone to wear their life jackets and to boat sober.    

For press releases, news and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at: @CORiverStation, Facebook @SBCSDColoradoRiverStation and/or Instagram @SBCSDColoradoRiverStation


Refer: Sergeant Travis Vessells

Station: Colorado River Station

Phone No. (760) 326-9200


SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department