The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has publicly announced that a federal jury has ruled in favor of the department in the case of Michael Bowman v. County of San Bernardino. This verdict affirms that Deputy Martinez conducted himself lawfully and professionally during the arrest of Michael Bowman. “The verdict confirms what the evidence clearly demonstrated: Deputy Martinez acted lawfully, reasonably, and professionally during Mr. Bowman’s arrest. We are grateful that both the facts and the law prevailed,” stated the department.
The incident in question occurred on June 14, 2022, when Deputy Martinez responded to reports of a stolen postal van in Phelan around 10:40 a.m. At the scene, he found Michael Bowman and others, prompting Martinez to detain Bowman as part of the investigation. Bowman, however, resisted detention and, according to the department, struck Deputy Martinez. Martinez then used reasonable force as a response to ensure the situation was controlled and safe for all involved.
Bowman subsequently filed a federal lawsuit accusing the County, the Sheriff’s Department, and Deputy Martinez of excessive force, false arrest, negligence, and violations of civil rights. Nevertheless, on March 25, 2025, the jury ruled in favor of the defendants, finding that they acted appropriately and justifiably.
“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to providing professional, respectful service while maintaining public safety. We stand firmly behind Deputy Martinez’s professionalism during this incident and remain dedicated to transparency, accountability, and protecting the rights of the community we serve,” affirmed the department in their closing statement.
