July 4, 2023
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Marine Enforcement Unit conducted it's 2023 Fourth of July Marine Enforcement Operation starting on Friday, June 30th through July 4th. 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 11 patrol vessels, an OHV team, the Sheriff's Dive Team and a Sheriff's Department helicopter were deployed throughout the area. The Marine Enforcement unit conducted a total of 124 enforcement stops throughout the holiday weekend. There was a total of nine arrests made for boating under the influence. The following are the names of the individuals arrested during the operation:
Andrew Weidel, 31 years of age, Corona, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Freddy Olivas-Lechuga, 24 years of age, Norco, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Adam Lafferty, 24 years of age, Tucson, Az. (Boating under the influence)
David Gonzales, 51 years of age, San Bernardino, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Ricardo Arzate, 29 years of age, Lynwood, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Michael Soto, 26 years of age, Oxnard, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Julian Madrid, 22 years of age, Indio, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Gonzalo Castillo, 65 years of age, San Fernando, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Casey Ogden, 31 years of age, Lakeview Terrace, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Approximately 63 citations were issued for various boating law violations as well as 100 verbal warnings. The Marine Enforcement Unit investigated two injury boat accidents. One accident occurred on the Colorado River near Needles Marina and the other on the Parker Strip near Emerald Cove Resort.
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
