Vehicle Check Near Interstate 8 Underpass in Winterhaven Leads to Arrest and Narcotics Seizure
WINTERHAVEN, CA — On Friday, June 26, 2026, Imperial County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Winterhaven Sub-Station conducted a vehicle check on a male and a female occupant parked at the Interstate-8 underpass.
An investigation determined that the driver, 35-year-old James Torres, was on active parole out of Arizona for weapons offenses. A subsequent search revealed that Torres was in possession of a loaded firearm and 28.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A criminal history records check, conducted with the assistance of Imperial County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers, confirmed that Torres had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms. Law enforcement later determined that the recovered firearm had been reported stolen out of Oceanside, California.
Torres was transported to the Imperial County Jail and booked on multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, transportation of narcotics, possession of methamphetamine with a loaded firearm, and possession of stolen property.
The female passenger, 37-year-old Cassandra Acosta, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Acosta was issued a misdemeanor citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and released.
