Knife Fight Led To Arrest

Stanislaus National Forest, CA — An employee of a lodge is injured in a knife fight.

Tuolumne County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Evergreen Lodge in the Stanislaus National Forest on Monday around 11:30 pm for a report of a stabbing. The Lodge is located near the Mather Family Campground. First on the scene was a Warden from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who detained the suspect, 23-year-old Rogelio Quintero of San Jose, until deputies arrived.

Once on scene, the deputies interviewed a 19 year old male employee of the lodge who had several cuts on an arm and hand. The employee would only admit to being intoxicated and fighting with Quintero.

Other witnesses told deputies that Quintero was also drunk and knocked on the door of an employee housing unit challenging the people inside to a fight. The victim talked to Quintero and they began to fight. Then other employees jumped in and broke up the fight.

Quintero was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies report once in back of the patrol car he tried to kick out the rear window. Quintero’s legs were restrained with a hobble device and he was taken to the Tuolumne County Jail.

Investigators say due to Quintero’s intoxication level, they could not interview him at the scene and he refused to talk to detectives the next day. At this time, it is unknown if the victim and Quintero knew each other or why he was at the lodge.

Quintero’s bail has been set at forty thousand dollars. He is charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Arrest.

The employee was treated at the scene for his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Click here for a map of the scene.