BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A busy Boca Bash weekend at Lake Boca Raton led to multiple arrests as state wildlife officers and Boca Raton Police increased enforcement on the water and along the shoreline, with charges ranging from boating under the influence to felony child abuse.
The annual Boca Bash gathering, held in the waters just offshore of Lake Boca Raton in southern Palm Beach County, draws large crowds of boaters each year. With that comes a coordinated law enforcement presence led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), supported by Boca Raton Police and other agencies.
Records from Sunday, April 26, show several individuals taken into custody during vessel patrols and follow-up investigations tied to activity on the water.
One of the arrests involved Jeffry Otoniel Pimentel Mena, 33, of Delray Beach, who was charged with operating a vessel with an unlawful blood alcohol level of .08 or higher. According to an FWC arrest report, officers initiated a vessel stop after observing a personal watercraft operating on plane in a marked slow speed zone.
During the stop, officers reported signs of impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the odor of alcohol. Field sobriety exercises were conducted on the water, and investigators documented multiple indicators of impairment. A breath test later showed alcohol levels above the legal limit, according to the report.
Pimentel Mena was taken into custody and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
In a separate incident, David Scott Howell, 58, of Fort Lauderdale, was arrested following what investigators described as a disturbance aboard a vessel near the Silver Palm boat ramp. He faces a felony charge of child abuse without great bodily harm, as well as misdemeanor battery.
According to the FWC report, officers responded after hearing a commotion from a nearby boat. Witness statements and visible injuries led officers to identify Howell as the aggressor in an altercation involving a female and a child on board.
FWC officers separated those involved and coordinated with Boca Raton Police, who assisted with escorting the vessel back to shore. Howell was taken into custody and later transported to jail.
Additional arrests recorded in the Lake Boca area that evening included multiple boating under the influence charges and related offenses.
Luis Miguel Gonzalez Fernandez, 32, of Homestead, was arrested by Boca Raton Police on a misdemeanor DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs, with a bond set at $1,000.
Santiago Castrovalencia, 33, was arrested by FWC on charges including boating under the influence and reckless operation of a vessel, stemming from conduct classified under public order crimes.
Jeffry Otoniel Pimentel Mena’s case was one of several tied directly to vessel operation under the influence, reflecting a recurring enforcement focus during large boating events.
Another individual, David Scott Howell, remains among the more serious cases from the weekend due to the felony-level charge tied to alleged conduct involving a minor.
Across the incidents, jurisdiction is shared between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which has primary authority over boating enforcement, and local law enforcement agencies including the Boca Raton Police Department, which handles arrests, transport, and booking procedures once individuals are brought to shore.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The arrests come as Boca Bash continues to draw attention from law enforcement agencies tasked with managing large crowds on the water. Officers conduct vessel stops, safety inspections, and impairment checks throughout the event, with an emphasis on preventing boating accidents and maintaining public safety.
Residents and boaters should expect a continued law enforcement presence during future Boca Bash gatherings, with agencies signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward impaired operation and violent behavior on the water.
From breaking incidents to city decisions, Boca Post is your daily source for the latest Boca Raton news that impacts life here.
