Big Bend brew news: Cascade Lakes Brewing owners acquire Crux Fermentation as part of new 5-brewery collective

KTVZ on February 13, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The family that owns Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. has purchased the Crux Fermentation Project, part of a newly announced coalition of five Central Oregon craft breweries, to be called the Oregon Beverage Collective aimed at helping all of the familiar brands thrive.

Andy Rhine, general manager and co-owner of Cascade Lakes, founded in 1994, confirmed to KTVZ News on Friday that the Rhine family had purchased Crux Fermentation from co-owners Paul Evers and Larry Sidor for an undisclosed sum.

The partnership, known as OBC, says it will focus on shared resources and community investment to address rising industry costs. Steve Augustyn, the owner of Silver Moon Brewing, will serve as the chief executive officer of the collective, which unites brands ranging from not-for-profit models to long-standing regional labels.

According to a report from the New School Beer website, Rhine will serve as the president of OBC, while Augustyn will serve as the CEO.

Their report says GoodLife, Silver Moon and Tumalo Cider remain privately owned and controlled, while Cascade Lakes and Crux are merging to expand production capabilities.

Rhine also clarified that the Rhine family has purchased Crux as an independent acquisition. In other words, Cascade Lakes doesn’t own Crux, but the same family owns both brands.

Here’s a detailed Q&A that Andy Rhine provided to KTVZ News about the reasons behind the new collective and what it will mean for the five breweries, which also include Silver Moon Brewing, GoodLife Brewing and Tumalo Cider Co.

When did OBC first germinate? Who approached whom about it?

The collective has been almost a year in the making. It really began with early conversations between Steve and Andy, and from there it naturally grew as different breweries and organizations started connecting with one another. It’s less about any one person approaching another and more about a group of like‑minded, beer‑loving folks recognizing the value of working together to keep craft beer strong in our region.

It’s no secret that the craft beer industry is struggling. But from the outside, Central Oregon has seemed fairly immune inasmuch as no breweries have closed due to insolvency. What’s your most honest take on how Central Oregon brewers, on the whole, are doing?

It’s no secret that the craft beer industry is challenging, but we’re fortunate to be in a region that genuinely loves and supports craft beer. Central Oregon breweries have always been quick on their feet — reinventing, adapting, and finding new ways to connect with their communities. And despite any headwinds, there’s a real sense of optimism here. Our brewers are resilient, creative, and committed to keeping this scene vibrant for years to come.

There are 27 brewing companies and 3 cider companies between Bend, Redmond and Sisters. How did the OBC come to include these 5 brands, was any other nearly involved (that you’re at liberty to mention) and is the door open for others to join the fold?

Because of the nature of forming the Collective, we needed to keep the process confidential while agreements were finalized. These are the only brands involved at this time, and we’re genuinely excited about what this group can create together. 

Please explain the brass tacks. I know GoodLife is decommissioning its brewing facility and production was already going to you. But will CL, Crux, SM and Tumalo continue to brew their respective fermentations in-house (and only their own)? Who’s actively canning and who will package all 5 respective brands?

Almost all brewing will be transitioning to Crux Fermentation Project’s facility. Larry and the Crux team have built an exceptional, high‑quality space capable of producing an incredibly wide range of beverages. What’s important to emphasize is that each brand will continue to create its own distinct beers — the recipes, styles, and personalities aren’t changing. We’re simply bringing production into a shared, state‑of‑the‑art space that allows every brand in the Collective to grow, innovate, and operate more efficiently.

What are the tangible benefits? Will the four beer brands buy raw materials (ingredients, aluminum, labels, kegs) on their own or is that all folding into singular purchase orders?

Economies of scale on raw materials are a major benefit for every brand in the Collective. We’ll be collaborating across several areas of our businesses, and this approach also helps our distribution partners operate more efficiently with shipping costs.

Will anything change, from the customer perspective, at any of the 5 brands? If so, what and when? Will labels have the OBC logo added?

Each of the five breweries will retain its own identity. Every brand has its own personality, history, and place in the community, and that’s not changing — from the look and feel of the pubs to the beer styles people know and love. What is exciting is the opportunity this collective creates for future collaborations, shared projects, and creative cross‑branding. Think of it as five strong, independent voices that now have the unique opportunity to share wisdom, without losing what makes each one special.

Are any employees being made redundant (being let go)?

Our priority is to maintain as much of our teams as possible. This collective isn’t about reducing staff — it’s about creating a larger, stronger group with more room to grow. By bringing these breweries together, we’re opening the door to new opportunities, not closing them.

The release says “Crux leads the way” for OBC. Are Larry and Paul really still involved? Moving the pub system and selling the pub building, plus closing the new PDX pub, doesn’t look great. Would Crux, or any of the 5 brands, likely have disappeared without this development?

When we say this brand is ‘leading the way,’ we’re really talking about scale. They’ve built a presence that reaches beyond the Pacific Northwest, and that footprint is a testament to the work Larry and Paul have put in over the years. While they’re officially passing the torch, they’re still very much advocates and advisors for Crux.

None of the brands in this collective were struggling or in need of saving — each one stands strong on its own. But now that this collaboration is real, the possibilities expand. Working together makes every brand more resilient, more creative, and more viable for the long term. That’s the exciting part.

Here’s the full news release: 

FIVE CENTRAL OREGON CRAFT BEVERAGE BRANDS PARTNER TO CREATE THE ‘OREGON BEVERAGE COLLECTIVE’  

The new production partnership includes five of the region’s most recognizable brands, including Crux, Silver Moon, Cascade Lakes Brewing, GoodLife, and Tumalo Cider 

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In a move that underscores the power of collaboration and the enduring spirit of Central Oregon’s craft beverage community, five iconic brands — Crux Fermentation Project, Silver Moon Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing Co., GoodLife Brewing, and Tumalo Cider Co. — are joining forces under a newly formed coalition named Oregon Beverage Collective.

This strategic partnership is more than a business decision; it’s a shared commitment to preserving local legacy brands, investing in community, and building a sustainable future for regional beverages. 

Crux Fermentation Project leads the way in this alliance. Crux has been a local Central Oregon brand since 2012, and over the years, it has built its name across the Pacific Northwest. Crux is constantly pushing boundaries with inventive beverages, such as NØMØ non-alcoholic brews, and a commitment to traditional techniques, such as barrel aging and brewing with whole-cone hops. Crux’s blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and community presence has made it a standout force in the vibrant craft beer scene for over 14 years. 

“We’re incredibly proud to have the Crux legacy join those who call Central Oregon home, but who also share our passion for pushing forward,” said Larry Sidor, Crux co-founder and former brewmaster. “This alliance will ensure Crux will grow in the collaborative hands of folks who truly get what makes it special.”  

Added Paul Evers, who also co-founded Crux: “Crux has always been anchored in community and collaboration from the beginning — in many ways, it’s always belonged to the people who gathered on the lawn and filled the tasting room. This Collective is a natural extension of that ethos — a community of breweries marching together into the next era of craft beverages. We’ve known the team behind the other brands in this Collective for years, and they’re a natural fit to join forces in this next chapter.”  

At the heart of this alliance is Steve Augustyn of Silver Moon Brewing, known for creating the pub’s vibrant culture while maintaining its bold beers and deep community roots. Silver Moon has a history that spans facility ownership, contract brewing, and serving as a contract partner, which brings a 360-degree perspective to the coalition. Silver Moon’s collaborative partnership with Tumalo Cider, which began in early 2025, reinforces the commitment to keeping the community strong.  

“Silver Moon has always thrived on energy, creativity, and connection,” said Steve Augustyn, owner of Silver Moon Brewing. “After 25 years, it seems as if we’ve lived every role in the brewing world, and that gives us a unique lens on what works—and what doesn’t. This coalition is a chance to share those lessons, amplify our strengths, and keep pushing the boundaries of what Oregon beer can be.” 

Cascade Lakes Brewing, Oregon’s first and only not-for-profit brewery, has a strong production backbone, operational stability, and a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead. 

“With our production facility in Redmond, we’ve felt the pressure of rising costs firsthand,” said Andy Rhine, owner of Cascade Lakes. “This partnership allows us to continue operations while staying true to our mission. Beer and alternative beverages are key to growth and sustainability, and we’re excited to explore new possibilities together.” 

GoodLife Brewing is another beloved brand in this community and is eager to join forces.  

“GoodLife was built on community, creativity, and innovation,” said Garett Oliphant, co-owner and visionary of GoodLife Brewing. “With rising costs from real estate and suppliers, collaboration just makes sense. It allows us to protect what matters most: keeping beer accessible for our customers, and ensuring GoodLife thrives long into the future.”  

Billy Muzio, co-owner and business strategist, added: “By sharing resources, we gain purchasing power, efficiency, and scalability that make growth possible.”  

Together, Oliphant and Muzio see this partnership as a natural evolution of Bend’s brewing culture. 

OBC is led by a team with deep industry experience and a passion for regional pride. Together, these brands are proving that in Central Oregon, collaboration isn’t just a strategy — it’s a way of life. 

“This coalition is about more than beer—it’s about legacy, leadership, and lasting local impact,” said Steve Augustyn, who will serve as CEO of OBC. “We’re coming together to ensure beloved brands not only survive, but thrive. Our strategic partners reflect the spirit of Central Oregon: from Crux Fermentation’s innovation and creativity, to Cascade Lakes’ not-for-profit driven model, to Silver Moon’s community-forward events like F Cancer, to GoodLife’s investment in family-friendly spaces, to Tumalo’s strong branding and community presence.  

“This isn’t just business—it’s a shared commitment to the people and places that make this region special,” Augustyn added. “And with new products on the horizon, we’re just getting started.” 

About Oregon Beverage Collective 

Oregon Beverage Collective (OBC) is a collaborative production partnership uniting some of Central Oregon’s most recognized craft beverage brands, including Crux Fermentation Project, Silver Moon Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, GoodLife Brewing, and Tumalo Cider Co. Formed to strengthen operational sustainability while preserving the individuality and legacy of each brand, the Collective focuses on shared resources, innovation, and community investment to create world-class craft beverages that make Central Oregon proud. For more information, visit oregonbeveragecollective.com

Click here to follow the original article.

Love Is Wild at the Santa Barbara Zoo This Valentine’s Day

KEYT on February 13, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Love is in the air at the Santa Barbara Zoo this Valentine’s Day.

The zoo is celebrating with special keeper talks that highlight the bonds between some of its most famous animal pairs.

Visitors can learn fun facts about how penguins, condors, and other species show affection in the wild.

Valentine-themed activities and photo opportunities are planned throughout the day.

Zoo staff hope it’s a fun way to share a little wild love with the whole family.

Click here to follow the original article.

TODEC hosts Valentine’s day food drive to help immigrant families in need

KESQ on February 13, 2026

María García

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The TODEC Legal Center hosted a Valentine’s Day food drive Friday morning aimed at helping immigrant families in need.

The event provided free groceries and essential items that may assist impacted families. The suggested items include: corn tortillas, beans, rice, canned chicken, baby wipes, and hygiene products.

“We had two full car loads, I backed up 50 pounds of rice and beans, and hundreds of hundreds of canned foods,” said Leah Aguayo, co-founder of Indivisible Morongo Basin.

Aguayo says the food drive is another way to give back while organizing more protests. “We protest every Sunday at the entrance to Joshua Tree park, we can have anywhere from one-hundred to four-hundred people. We got the word out that this Valentine day food drive was happening,” said Aguayo.

Todec organizers say around 3,000 families each month seek help due to immigration enforcement concerns.

“We’re very thankful and we’re very honored and very proud of our Coachella Valley. How people continue to step up for those that are very vulnerable at these times, that are suffering and having so much trauma,” said Luz Gallegos, Todec executive director.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local flower shops gear up for Valentine’s Day rush as spending hits record high

KESQ on February 13, 2026

Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As Valentine’s Day approaches, flower shops across the Coachella Valley are in full bloom preparing for one of their busiest days of the year.

Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day is projected to hit a record $29.1 billion, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $199.78, up from $188.81 last year and higher than the previous record of $196.31 in 2020.

News Channel 3 is speaking with local flower shops and shoppers about how rising costs and strong demand are shaping this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Despite Cancer, Fort Bliss Ranger Motivates Others with Message of Empowerment

KVIA on February 13, 2026

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – Sergeant Major Janina Simmons says she was never really a big dreamer. ” I didn’t take anything seriously, I was very go home, chill out, and do nothing, I had zero ambitions for anything.”

She grew up in Germany. She and her sister were raised by her mother, who struggled with mental health. Her father was in her life, but traveled because of the military. At the age of sixteen, she moved to Colorado with her dad, a former drill sergeant. Simmons says she faced a new challenge, being one of the few black kids. “I was going through the motions, you’re a human being on earth, just go through the motions,” Simmons said.

She found new hope when she joined the U.S. Military. She’s traveled to Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, and served at Fort Bliss, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Simmons said, “What the Army did for me was give me something to strive for.”  She didn’t set out to make history, but she did; she became the first black female Army Ranger. “When you do something crass like that, I’m not sure that your wants to make history will get you through something as hard as that,” Simmons said.

According to army.mil women began graduating from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School in August 2015. Simmons became the first black woman to complete it in 2019. The U.S. Army website states that Ranger School is one of the Army’s most physically and mentally demanding leadership courses. “I think about my grandma, who was picking cotton in the field. It’s cool to know where we came from, and now I am the first woman to make history,” she stated. “I want to show people that we are limited to your color, your gender, there are no limitations, there’s just none. But one of her life’s toughest battles wasn’t in a combat zone. She said, “I had these lumps on my groin about the size of a grape.” Those lumps turned out to be a diagnosis of stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer.

Doctor Alex Flaris with the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso says it’s a rare form of cancer that arises from cells that receive signals from nerves and release hormones. “A lot of patients don’t even realize there’s a problem, just vague pain, which you become accustomed to.”  According to the Cleveland Clinic, slow-growing tumors caught early can be surgically removed or treated with hormone inhibitors. Later-stage and rapidly growing tumors require more aggressive treatment. ” I have to get monthly injections; it doesn’t kill the cancer, but it contains it,” Simmons stated.

Her doctor told her she has about four years left to live, but she says she feels like she could live 10.In her free time, she’s also a marathon runner. That helps her stay focused and keep a clear mind.Although she is facing this off the battlefield, she has a strong support system, her family and friends. And now she’s making the most out of her time. Simmons is documenting her journey through a book. She hopes it will inspire people to find the light in the darkness and to keep moving forward despite the challenges. She says life is all about your mindset. “The most gratifying feeling you will have is after a time of turbulence. When you’re going through whatever, there’s a rainbow at the end, you just have to make it there.”  Janina tells me that her book, Draw Four,  will be out in a few months. She hopes it can help people understand that life is real: it will beat you down, but you have to keep moving, and success is at the end.

Click here to follow the original article.

Daughter charged with stabbing mother in face in Jefferson City attack

KMIZ on February 13, 2026

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City woman was charged Friday with domestic assault and armed criminal action for allegedly stabbing her mother in the face.

Michelle I. Ritchie, 33, was charged Friday with first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action in the Thursday stabbing at 221 Dover St. Police came to the home after Ritchie called 911, saying she had cut her mother’s face and was sitting in a vehicle in the Target parking lot, according to a probable cause statement.

Police found blood on the kitchen floor, countertops and cabinets, along with a bloody steak knife and spoon, the statement says. The victim told officers that she tried to keep her daughter from leaving in her vehicle, and after they went back into the house, her daughter stabbed her in the face with a knife and a spoon.

Ritchie allegedly told officers that she aimed for her mother’s eye in an attempt to kill her, and that she knew the assault was illegal.

Ritchie was in the Cole County Jail on Friday without bond. No hearings have been set.

Click here to follow the original article.

EPISD Chief of Police to retire

KVIA on February 13, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Independent School district confirmed with ABC-7 its Chief of Police. Manuel Chavira, will retire.

“We are grateful for his years of service and the leadership he has provided,” the school district said in a statement sent to ABC-7. “We thank him for his dedication to our students, staff, and community, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.”

Chavira took the oath of office in January 2021, according to EPISD.

Click here to follow the original article.

Bicyclist dead following crash in Cathedral City Thursday night

KESQ on February 13, 2026

Isaiah Mora

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A bicyclist is dead following a crash in Cathedral City on Thursday night.

Around 10:55 p.m., Cathedral City Police officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash at the intersection of Date Palm Drive and Ortega Road. 

Investigators determined a vehicle was traveling southbound on Date Palm Drive and run a red traffic signal. A bicyclist traveling westbound through the crosswalk, also against a red traffic signal, was struck by the vehicle.

The bicyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital for minor facial injuries. 

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The identity of the victim will not be released until the Coroner’s Office completes their investigation.

If you have information related to this incident or believe you may have information, please contact the Cathedral City Police at (760) 770-0300.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this story.

Click here to follow the original article.

Oregon Lottery sees $1.3M+ revenue from Super Bowl bets

KTVZ on February 13, 2026

Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregonians wagered $8.4 million on this year’s Super Bowl, making it the state’s largest single sports betting event of the year. The wagers, placed through the Oregon Lottery’s DraftKings Sportsbook, generated more than $1.3 million in revenue for the state, according to the Oregon Lottery.

The total amount wagered increased from the $8.2 million recorded during last year’s Super Bowl. Despite the increase in the total amount bet, officials noted that state revenue trended lower than the previous year due to high volumes of winning bets placed on the Seattle Seahawks.

This year, the average wager for the event was $18.30. While the total amount wagered grew, the total number of bets placed was slightly more than 450,000, compared to 456,000 bets recorded last year.

Kerry Hemphill, the Oregon Lottery sports betting products manager, explained that revenue was influenced by local betting preferences. “The Super Bowl is a significant revenue-driving event for Oregon,” Hemphill said. “This year, revenue trended down from last year because of the strong in-state support for the Seahawks, who were favored and won.”

Players had access to more than 1,000 prop bets, which are wagers on specific events within the game such as which team would score first or who would be named MVP. The coin toss drew 9,159 bets, resulting in 3,932 winners who correctly picked the Patriots to win the toss. Additionally, 1,488 players correctly guessed that the color of the Gatorade used in the celebration would be yellow.

The largest individual win of the day belonged to a Portland resident. The player placed a $1,000 bet in August 2025 on the Seahawks to win the game, which resulted in a $60,000 payout.

The Oregon Lottery first launched its online sports betting platform in October 2019. Since the lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $17.8 billion for various state programs. These funds support economic development, public education, state parks, veteran services and watershed enhancements.

Click here to follow the original article.

Police body cameras capture federal agents fabricating attack by local activist in October

KEYT on February 13, 2026

Andrew Gillies

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – On Oct. 16 of last year, Leo Martinez, an activist with local immigrant rights group VC Defensa, was recording federal immigration operations when agents drove their vehicle into truck he was driving, claimed he had hit them, and then took him into custody.

Videos, images, and accounts that came out the same day and since then have revealed a very different version of events that directly contradict statements made by federal agents to local dispatchers and responding officers.

The difference between what was captured on camera and what was reported by federal agents was something Oxnard Police Department’s Chief of Police Jason Benites noted to Your News Channel back in October.

“At about 11 AM, a video surfaced on social media. The video depicts a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by ICE agents, broadsiding a grey Nissan Frontier. The person who was arrested by the agents is driving the Nissan. Though the video does not tell the entire story, such as what may have preceded the video, it calls to question what may have transpired.”

Martinez was eventually taken from the scene by federal agents to Las Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks and was released from a federal detention facility in Los Angeles around 3 p.m. the same day.

He was told he was facing charges related to the incident, but he has yet to be formally charged in any jurisdiction.

Your News Channel interviewed Martinez after his release and he shared footage from inside his truck that captured elements of the incident that do not match the accounts provided to Ventura County dispatchers and Oxnard Police officers by federal agents.

To confirm what happened before Martinez was taken away by federal agents from the dirt lot off of A Street in Oxnard back in October, Your News Channel reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and the Oxnard Police Department before filing requests through the California Public Records Act for the local police department as well as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the federal agency.

While the federal government responded to Your News Channel’s questions with an indirect statement about the incident followed by a blanket denial of Your News Channel’s FOIA request for more information, the local police agency did comply with state disclosure laws by providing written accounts from two of the involved officers with the Oxnard Police Department, Officer Wood and Officer Flannery, who responded to the scene on Oct. 16.

In December, the Oxnard Police Department provided body-worn camera footage from six officers who responded to the scene in compliance with the state disclosure law.

According to the written accounts and body camera footage reviewed by Your News Channel, officers were initially dispatched to the area for a road rage incident reported to dispatchers by an uninvolved driver around 7:48 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2025.

The person who called in what they believed was a road rage incident described a silver Jeep ramming a black truck, but they didn’t see who was driving either vehicle noted Officer Wood in his written account.

At 7:59 a.m., a Ventura County dispatcher received a call from a person who stated they were an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that they were pursuing a Nissan Frontier truck after it had collided with their silver Jeep Cherokee in the area of 255 West Fifth Street.

The caller requested that local law enforcement respond to assist with the ongoing “safety incident” detailed Officer Wood.

Officers Flannery and Espinosa with the Oxnard Police Department were working in a two-man unit in a marked patrol car when they were sent to the scene of the reported hit-and-run noted Officer Flannery’s written account.

The duo conducted a traffic stop on the involved truck and the driver, later identified as Leo Martinez of Oxnard, pulled over into a dirt lot at the intersection of Oxnard Boulevard and A Street where he cooperated with investigating officers explained Officer Wood in his written account.

Oxnard Police Officer Wood’s Body Camera footage showing officers asking Leo Martinez to exit his truck on Oct. 16, 2025.

Body camera footage revealed officers had Leo Martinez exit his truck from the passenger side due to the damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Officer Wood stated in his written account that he spotted major front end damage to the silver Jeep at the scene and asked that the occupants of the Jeep -who identified themselves and wore insignias indicating they were federal agents- to move their damaged vehicle away from the other involved party, Leo Martinez.

He then informed all law enforcement personnel at the scene that he would be managing the investigation into the road rage incident his written account noted.

Officers then conducted interviews with federal agents and Leo Martinez.

According to Officer Brown’s and Wood’s body cam footage, a person wearing an FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) insignia stated that multiple vehicles had boxed in the agent’s vehicle before the collision with Leo Martinez’s truck occurred.

A person wearing an FBI insignia informing investigating officers that Leo Martinez had intentionally rammed into federal agents alongside other activists. Image from OPD Officer Wood’s Body Camera on Oct. 16, 2025.

Your News Channel reached out to the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office to confirm that the woman shown in the image above is an FBI agent.

While the federal law enforcement agency stated that FBI agents have and do assist the Department of Homeland Security with operations, they did not confirm the woman sharing information about a coordinated attack on federal agents on Oct. 16, 2025, is an agent nor if an agent was assigned to the group of federal agents for a particular law enforcement purpose that day.

“The FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities,” states the About page for the federal agency. “It is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice and a full member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. 

A DHS spokesperson stated in October that federal agents were seeking to apprehend a Mexican national who is a registered sex offender on Oct. 16, 2025, but no other details about the operation, including if it was authorized by a judicial warrant or involved national security elements, were provided despite multiple requests for more information.

Oxnard Police Officers interviewed the man who identified himself as a federal agent and the driver of the vehicle with federal agents inside and his description of the incident shared with investigating officers is shown below from OPD Officer Flannery’s body camera video.

Officer Flannery’s body camera also captured Leo Martinez’s account of the incident and that he feared what would happen if he stopped after agents activated their roof lights following the collision that damaged both vehicles.

Your News Channel did not alter the body camera footage provided by the Oxnard Police Department and shared in this article. Leo Martinez’s face was blurred in the original versions provided by the local law enforcement agency.

Officer Melgoza’s body cameras showed that protesters who gathered at the scene shouted that the federal agents had rammed Leo Martinez and that it was captured on camera.

One protester was heard warning federal agents that recordings of the collision would be, “on the news tonight”.

VC Defensa shared a video on social media hours later showing an SUV deliberately colliding with the truck driven by Leo Martinez.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VC Defensa (@vcdefensa)

Notably, the front-end damage spotted by Officer Wood is not present in the videos shared by both VC Defensa hours later and by Leo Martinez days later indicating there was no major collision that federal agents reported to dispatchers and investigating officers at the scene and certainly not indicative of a coordinated vehicular attack by multiple observers detailed at the scene by a federal agent.

The images below showed the sequence of the second collision from another angle which capture both the largely undamaged front end of the agent’s vehicle and the sequence of events leading to the collision.

Martinez shared with Oxnard Police Officers interviewing him at the scene that he was recording the agents when they became aggressive and began to closely follow him as he made a series of U-turns before they agent’s vehicle rammed into him.

The federal agent who told officers at the scene he was the one driving the Jeep reported to Officer Flannery that agents had attempted to initiate contact with Martinez by positioning their vehicle behind Martinez’s truck.

The driving agent then claimed Martinez had began to drive away before coming to an abrupt stop and reversing into the agent’s vehicle stated Officer Flannery’s written account and captured his body camera at the scene.

According to Officer Flannery’s written account and body cam footage, the agent then claimed that both vehicles began to pull forward and, before he could activate the vehicle’s emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, Martinez suddenly made, “a quick sharp turn to the left, directly in front of the agent’s path, and he [the agent driving the Jeep] was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.”

Responding officers even noted the wide discrepancies between what federal agents and Leo Martinez had shared at the scene and one officer mentioned to Leo Martinez that there were multiple cameras along the route of the slow-speed chase before concluding, “Cameras don’t lie.”

Federal agents noted to Oxnard Police Officers Wood and Rebollar more than once that video of the collision was recorded by Leo Martinez and that he had thrown the device into another vehicle before stopping.

A supervisor of the federal agents, who arrived at the scene later, reminded Oxnard Police officers that a recording device had been tossed to other activists before officers had stopped Leo Martinez.

Video of the crash would be a crucial element in any investigation and especially in court proceeding if charges had been filed against Leo Martinez, but what baffled local officers at the scene was a lack of interest in taking possession of Leo Martinez’s truck, the ostensible weapon connected to their claims of an attack.

Ultimately, agents left the scene without sharing a plan on retrieving the damaged truck and Oxnard Police officers left it at the scene with the keys inside after a discussion amongst themselves their respective body cameras captured.

Video recordings of violent encounters with federal agents have played a crucial role in determining the accuracy of statements from the federal government and served as a catalyst for investigations, but in some cases, including that of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last month, the Department of Justice has declined to investigate.

“[T]here is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation,” stated Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in response to the death of Renee Good.

A federal judge went so far as to block the Trump Administration from, “destroying or altering evidence” related to another federal agent-involved shooting that resulted in the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

Additionally, in November of last year, federal prosecutors dropped felony charges against Marimar Martinez, a Chicago educator shot five times by a Border Patrol agent during Operation Midway Blitz late last year, after body camera evidence emerged that contradicted agent’s accounts and statements by federal officials.

During October’s incident in Oxnard, federal agents spoke with a person the agents shared was the “AUSA”, an acronym often used to refer to an Assistant U.S. Attorney, a federal prosecutor, and the federal agent’s supervisor stated the decision about what was going to happen to Leo Martinez that day was ultimately up to the “AUSA” captured OPD Officer Wood’s body camera.

Your News Channel reached out to federal prosecutors in Los Angeles, which includes Ventura County in its jurisdictional responsibilities, multiple times about what appeared to be legal counsel at the scene, the nature of its involvement in the incident, and what charges Leo Martinez was facing.

Despite the written and recorded evidence of the participation of at least one federal prosecutor, likely within their office a spokesperson later admitted, the First Assistant’s Office declined to confirm the person identified by federal agents as an Assistant U.S. Attorney was a prosecutor from their office.

The First Assistant’s Office then claimed that the content of the conversation captured by Oxnard Police officer’s body cameras and reviewed by Your News Channel is private information under attorney-client privilege and could be subject to litigation if aired.

Regardless of the content of the phone call, the context of potentially unlawful actions by federal employees with at least two different Department-level federal agencies, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, on Oct. 16, 2025, is an indication that agents at the scene were not operating without permission, their actions were part of an inter-agency operation that is not common procedure, and is vitally important to share with the public regarding the tactics being employed by federal law enforcement to conduct actions in the area and nationwide.

The stark difference between the accounts provided by federal agents and the body camera videos provided by the Oxnard Police Department, written statements from responding officers, and videos and interviews with other people and organizations is a clear indication of a potential abuse of federal law enforcement authority to shut down a local investigation into their actions.

That allegation is the subject of an official complaint filed with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.

The Inspector General Act of 1978 established nonpartisan offices within the federal government to provide independant oversight and objective investigations.

Of the over 70 inspector general positions that exist today, most are appointed by the President and require confirmation by the Senate.

In the first month of his second term, President Trump fired inspector generals at 17 different federal agencies and many positions remain vacant to this day.

The complaint filed regarding the actions of federal agents in October is not subject to federal disclosure laws until after it is closed so Your News Channel filed a request proactively seeking information about what the federal watchdog did after receiving the complaint.

In response, ICE’s FOIA Office denied our request for an expedited answer in December of last year stating, “You failed to demonstrate a particular urgency to inform the public about the government activity involved in the request beyond the public’s right to know about government activity generally. Your letter was conclusory in nature and did not present any facts to justify a grant of expedited processing under the applicable standards.”

“The complaint detailed allegations of violent actions, abuse of power, and providing knowingly false information to law enforcement by federal agents on Oct. 16, 2025,” explained Your News Channel in its appeal of the decision filed the same day as the Dec. 15, 2025, denial. “Further information received since filing the FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] request through state disclosure laws indicates multiple federal agents knowingly provided false information to investigators/dispatchers, unlawfully took over an investigation into their actions, transported the involved victim to another jurisdiction, and threatened him with prosecution.”

Additionally, while the federal agency categorized the FOIA request as “conclusory in nature” as part of its justification to deny a rapid response, the request was technically for information generated by the Office of Inspector General investigating the complaint filed by Your News Channel.

In other words, Your News Channel can confidently conclude that the complaint is real because Your News Channel author filed it, personally.

What was being requested through the federal disclosure law and denied an expedited response was the nature of the federal watchdog’s response to the complaint, not the allegations within the complaint.

Even if the complaint was conclusory in nature and there are extenuating circumstances not covered by Your News Channel or captured on camera, involved federal agencies have every reason to prove our coverage was and is inaccurate by investigating the complaint and providing their findings to the public.

“The information provided in the initial request clearly satisfied both conditions detailed in 6 C.F.R. § 5.5(e)(1)(i) and 6 C.F.R. § 5.5(e)(1)(ii) even if they were unsubstantiated claims lacking evidence,” concluded Your News Channel in its appeal in December of last year. “The decision to deny the expedited request while ignoring the substantial evidence of wrongdoing is itself a demonstration of the damning nature of the information requested, an example of an ongoing threat to the victim, and a clear example of the urgent need to provide that information to the public.”

Click here to follow the original article.