Scuffle at Morongo Valley Thanksgiving food giveaway results in one arrest

Update 12/3/25: Tolbert reached out to Z107.7 to dispute the nature of his citation. Tolbert maintains that he was not arrested as part of this incident. The Sheriff's Department considers the citation as an arrest in this incident. An elected official representing Morongo Valley was arrested for investigation into battery at a food giveaway. On Saturday morning (November 22) at around 9:15 a.m., a Thanksgiving food distribution event was held at the Morongo Valley Fire Station at 11207 Ocotillo Street in Morongo Valley. The event was put on as a collaboration between the Morongo Valley Fire Department, the Morongo Valley Community Services District (CSD), and the Morongo Valley Firefighters Auxiliary. San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies say they responded to the fire station for a report of a battery, and identified the suspect as Johnny Tolbert, a 61 year-old resident of Morongo Valley. Tolbert is a long-serving member for the Morongo Valley CSD, an elected body that oversees the Morongo Valley Fire Department, Covington Park, and other public services. Sheriff's deputies said that Tolbert "smacked the victim during an argument." The victim, Chris Cross, is the vice-president of the Morongo Valley Firefighters Auxiliary and has worked with Tolbert in the past. Cross spoke to Z107.7, confirming that he and Tolbert were in an argument. Cross said he snapped his fingers at Tolbert and then Tolbert hit his forearm with an open hand. Cross reported the incident to deputies. Cross told Z107.7, "I have asked for the voluntary resignation of Johnny Tolbert. If he does not, I will move forward legally. I have already pressed charges. I think this is a very unfortunate situation." Z107.7 contacted Tolbert for a statement regarding his arrest. The Morongo Valley CSD Manager Brittany Chavez said, "We don’t yet know what did or didn’t occur. We’re gathering statements through the proper channels so we can sort out the facts." Johnny Tolbert was arrested for investigation into battery, issued a citation to appear in court, and released at the scene.