The San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Marine Enforcement Unit conducted its 4th of July Holiday Enforcement Operation starting on Friday, July 3, 2026 through July 5, 2026. 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, and two Sheriff's Department helicopters were deployed throughout the area. The Marine Enforcement Unit conducted a total of 105 enforcement stops throughout the holiday weekend. There was a total of 10 arrests made for boating under the influence. The following are the names of the individuals arrested during the operation:
Mario Hernandez, 36 years of age, San Bernardino, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Harold AvilaLopez, 25 years of age, Los Angeles, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Michael Caro, 36 years of age, Phelan, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Cole Spangler, 21 years of age, Lytle Creek, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Jesus Valencia, 27 years of age, Tracy, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Jorge Martinpinto, 24 years of age, Beverly Hills, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Jakob Prescher, 23 years of age, Alta Loma, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Alexis Chavez, 31 years of age, Palmdale, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Kevin Deines, 53 years of age, Las Vegas, Nv. (Boating under the influence)
Michael Carlton, 28 years of age, Ontario, Ca. (Boating under the influence)
Approximately 55 citations were issued for various boating law violations as well as hundreds of verbal warnings. The Marine Enforcement Unit investigated one minor injury boat accident, a tubing incident that occurred on Lake Havasu.
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, regardless of age. 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
