Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Family Says Race Led to Lake Altercation with Fresno Deputies. What Does Video Show?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
July 14, 2020

Share

A family says they were targeted because of their race during a July 4 confrontation with Fresno County sheriff’s deputies at a popular local lake. The department says the family group escalated a situation that could have been settled calmly.

A video posted on social media the day after, but garnering more attention in recent days, shows deputies and members of the Reyes family engaging in a physical confrontation on the shores of Shaver Lake, in the mountains above Fresno.

Video Shows Arrests

Posted by a woman who says she is the sister of those involved, the two-minute video starts with deputies arresting a man — identified by the sheriff’s department as Jacob Cuellar Reyes, 29, of Morgan Hill.

“We were doing nothing wrong! A jet ski ticket turned into all these sheriffs pulling up fast! There was no need for the police to brutally attack my [sic] brothers , sister in law and my cousin. All we did was ask why,” Twitter user @mirandag400 said.

A sheriff’s spokesman confirmed the authenticity of the video.

Incident Starts With Overdue Rental

“They were being loud, cussing and some were drunk.  This created a nuisance to families nearby who were trying to relax.” — Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti

About the only thing both @mriandag400 and the sheriff’s department agree on is that is started with an incident about a jet ski.

According to sheriff’s department spokesman Tony Botti, the watercraft was rented from Shaver Lake Marina and was overdue for return. Three renters needed the jet ski towed back because it ran out of gas.

When informed that it was overdue, the men became belligerent toward marina employees — arguing, spitting sunflower seeds and lighting up a marijuana joint.

Shaver Lake Marina owner Greg Powell, speaking for his employee during the incident, confirmed that part of the story.

“I think they were drunk and belligerent, and that’s why the police went after him. Otherwise, they wouldn’t,” Powell said.

The men then took off on a jet ski of their own.

“The worker notified sheriff’s deputies on the patrol boat what had happened and that these three guys were possibly boating under the influence,” Botti said. “Deputies spotted the jet ski going too fast through a no wake zone and attempted to stop them.  They pulled up to the shore and (Gabriel) Lozano and Reyes jumped off and run over to join a large group of people.”

The third man, Larry Schular, was issued a speeding ticket.

Melee Breaks Out During Arrest

That’s when the other two men — identified as Reyes and Lozano — were confronted by Sheriff’s department boat and land patrols.

In the video, deputies are seen handcuffing Cuellar Reyes. Family and friends are heard asking what he did, and for the deputies’ badge number.

That’s when mayhem broke out. Other people in the party engaged with the deputies.

The video shows 28-year-old Samuel Reyes of San Jose entangling with a deputy. He is tackled to the sand. A woman — identified as Raquel Rios, 29, of San Jose — also gets into a scrum.

Deputies also took 37-year Lozano of Fresno down to the sand.

One deputy is seen displaying a baton to prevent bystanders from jumping in the melee. It does not appear that the deputy struck anyone with the weapon.

Both Lozano and Rios were charged with resisting arrest. They were released from jail with a citation an hour later, according to the department.

Cuellar Reyes was arrested for being drunk in public and was also released.

Samuel Reyes was arrested and charged with deterring an officer by threat or violence. He was released after posting a $30,000 bond the next day, Botti said.

Sheriff’s Department: Group Caused Escalation

Botti, the sheriff’s spokesman, justified the deputies’s actions.

“They were being loud, cussing and some were drunk.  This created a nuisance to families nearby who were trying to relax.  Deputies detained the first man in the video who was intoxicated.  The plan was to issue him a warning and deliver a message to the group to settle down and have respect for other visitors.  However, people in the group became more rowdy and resisted deputies,” Botti said.

Botti pointed out the portion of the video where Samuel Reyes grabbed a deputy’s arm.

“From there things got out of control and deputies tackled some of the folks.  They ended up arresting a few for resisting arrest and the first guy was arrested for drunk in public.  Sadly this whole thing could have been avoided, but the group chose to get hostile,” Botti said.

GV Wire℠ attempted to reach @mirandag400, but did not receive a reply by time of publication.

(Fresno Sheriff’s Office)

Spokesman Refutes “Police Terrorism” Charge

A second video of the incident shows deputies tackling the first man arrested for suspicion of being intoxicated.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the people in the video, identified as the Reyes family.

On the page, racism is blamed for the deputy’s actions.

“What happens when one of the jet skis runs out of fuel, and the racist rental company involves the local Fresno sheriff? When local law enforcement see’s brown people in white labeled spaces watch how they respond. All they care about is skin color. THIS IS POLICE TERRORISM.  Many of their family members were falsely arrested,” the GoFundMe description says.

Botti refutes those claims.

“This was not a case of police terrorism or racism.  This was a case of unruly behavior by a large group of people who had a great chance of being let off with a verbal warning.  Instead, their defiance escalated the situation and resulted in several arrests being made.  It’s a shame that this group disrupted many families who were enjoying their holiday at the lake,” Botti said.

Botti said a boating deputy accidentally scratched the jet ski belonging Schular and provided information to report a claim to the county.

But, Botti denied another allegation made on Twitter that deputies deleted the smart phone videos.

“This is not true.  We asked them to send us their videos, but they never did.  The first time we saw the videos is when they were posted on social media,” Botti said.

DON'T MISS

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

DON'T MISS

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

DON'T MISS

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

DON'T MISS

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

DON'T MISS

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

DON'T MISS

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

DON'T MISS

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

DON'T MISS

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

DON'T MISS

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

DON'T MISS

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

UP NEXT

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

UP NEXT

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

UP NEXT

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Stack Double-Doubles Like Burgers on a Plate to Beat Prairie View

UP NEXT

Fresno County Men Arrested in Armed Robbery Near Sanger High, Sanger Academy

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested After Oakhurst Crime Spree Leaves K9 Injured

UP NEXT

With or Without Lockridge, Can Bulldogs Get Out of Their Own Way to Become Bowl Eligible?

UP NEXT

This Kitty Seeks a Quiet Home to Call Her Own

UP NEXT

Madera County Shooting Strikes K-9, Investigation Ongoing

UP NEXT

Former Bitwise Employees Settle for $20 Million: Fresno Attorney

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

1 hour ago

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

1 hour ago

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

1 hour ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

3 hours ago

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

3 hours ago

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

3 hours ago

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

3 hours ago

Massive Ground Beef Recall Affects Restaurants Nationwide, USDA Warns

3 hours ago

Chris Stapleton Wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen Is Entertainer of the Year

3 hours ago

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

4 hours ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged closer to 7% this week, climbing to its highest level since July. The rate rose to ...

22 minutes ago

22 minutes ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

27 minutes ago

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

47 minutes ago

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

1 hour ago

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

1 hour ago

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

Fresno motorcycle cop enforces the 45 mph speed limit
1 hour ago

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

3 hours ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

3 hours ago

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend