Foreign drug trafficking operating in and around Humboldt County
June 10, 2008
Deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit eradicated 10,068 growing marijuana plants from Pacific Lumber Company property yesterday. The plants ranged in height from three to six inches and were located in the Larabee Valley area, east of Bridgeville. The grow site was protected by an electric deer fence and had an automated watering system. No suspects were located at the site but supplies had been left at a staging area. Evidence was collected and the case is still under investigation.
The marijuana grow was located about one half mile from the site where Eloy Infante-Toscano was killed after aiming a loaded shotgun at a Sheriff’s Deputy in October of 2007. The public is reminded that, should they find a grow site, leave the area immediately and notify law enforcement.
“There are foreign drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Humboldt County,” said Sheriff Gary Philp. “These marijuana grows can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to those organizations and they can be motivated to protect their investment.”
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Human Remains Found
May 23rd, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call yesterday afternoon from an engineer who was working northeast of Redwood Fields in Cutten. He reported that on the previous evening (5/21/08) he has been working in the same area and he had found what he believed was a human bone. When he returned yesterday and looked again, he reported his find to the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Deputies and personnel with the Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and confirmed the remains were human. The Sheriff’s Office then sent a Detective and an Evidence Technician to the site. No identification has been made on the remains and no cause of death had been determined. A preliminary examination leads investigators to believe the remains are those of a male. The remains may have been there since last fall. The area where they were found appears to be a transient campsite. The investigation will continue today in as attempt establish the identification of the remains. A Sheriff’s Detective and an Evidence Technician will return to the site today to process the area for further information.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Marijuana Investigation
May 22nd, 2008
On 05/21/2008 the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant in the Steelhead Rd. area of Alderpoint in Southern Humboldt County. Located at the scene was a large-scale sophisticated commercial indoor marijuana growing operation. The marijuana growing operation was located on a large rural piece of property. There were four structures on the property, each being used to grow marijuana. There was no living area on the property. Facilities were in place to support all stages of marijuana production, including a cloning operation, marijuana growing rooms, marijuana drying rooms, areas to process and package marijuana, and areas to manufacture concentrated cannabis. Located and seized from the property were 5,492 growing marijuana plants. The plants ranged in height from about 2 inches to 4 feet. There were plants at the property in all stages of growth. Also seized from the property were approximately 97 pounds of partially processed marijuana, approximately two pounds of concentrated cannabis, two large diesel generators in place to power the marijuana growing operation, and marijuana processing and packaging material.
The Humboldt County Department of Environmental Health was called to the scene as there was evidence of diesel spills and there was a large quantity of used motor oil stored on the property. The Department of Environmental Health is continuing their investigation. This was a significant marijuana growing operation as it could produce up to 1,500 pounds of processed marijuana bud per year, with an approximate street value of about $5 million. No suspects were located on scene, and no arrests have been made to date. However,
suspects have been identified and the investigation is continuing.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Marijuana Cultivation Sentence
May 22nd, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has been informed that Fortuna resident Cody Kyle Dobbs was sentenced last week in Federal Court to more than ten years in prison for marijuana related charges. Additionally, Dobbs was sentenced to pay almost $70,000 in fines for restitution and clean-up costs associated with a diesel spill connected to his marijuana growing operation in Piercy (Mendocino County). A federal jury convicted Dobbs of cultivating and possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to cultivate and possess with intent to distribute marijuana on December 6, 2007. The conviction was the result of extensive coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that worked to gather evidence regarding Dobbs’ marijuana activities and financial dealings over a number of years.
“We are pleased that this sentence was imposed,” said Sheriff Gary “We believe it is appropriate given the magnitude of this criminal enterprise.”
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Marijuana Investigation
May 20th, 2008
On 05/19/2008 the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at 2371 Hwy 96 in the Willow Creek area.
Located at the residence was a large-scale sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation. The entire house had been converted to house and conceal the growing operation. The house was no longer usable as a living area. This house was a rental, and the house had been modified without the owner's permission. Modifications had been done to the house's wiring and heating /cooling system in order to support the marijuana grow. Many other modifications had been completed as well, and the house will require extensive repair in order to be returned to a livable state.
Located at the house were 563 growing marijuana plants, which ranged in height from about 3 inches to 4 feet. Also located was a small amount of processed marijuana, and a large supply of marijuana growing supplies.
The case is still under investigation. No suspects were located on scene. Two suspects have been identified; warrants for their arrest will be requested for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Blue Lake Marijuanna Bust
May 13th, 2008
On 05/13/2008 the Sheriff's Office Drug Enforcement Unit conducted investigation into a possible indoor marijuana growing operation occurring at 3070 Little Pond St, McKinleyville. A sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation was located, and a search warrant was served at the residence at about 11:00 AM. Located in the house were about 250 growing marijuana plants. The plants ranged in height from about 4 inches to 4 feet. In addition, deputies located and seized about 20 pounds of processed marijuana bud, a large amount of hash, and $25,500.00 US currency. Two suspects were identified and warrants will be requested for their arrest for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be sought.
Information was located during this search that one of the suspects in this marijuana growing operation was possibly also involved in an indoor marijuana growing operation occurring at 1755 Glendale Dr, Blue Lake. Deputies went to this location and conducted investigation. Deputies found that there were 4 separate residences, 3 of them rentals, but all owned by the same person that contained indoor marijuana growing operations.
A consent to search was obtained for 1755 Glendale Dr, Blue Lake. The house was constructed in a manner to be used solely for the production of marijuana, providing only a small living area for the occupant. A total of 102 growing marijuana plants were located and seized from this residence. The plants ranged in height from about 3 inches to 2 feet.
A search warrant was requested and obtained for the 3 remaining residences, which were located at 1771 and 1757 Glendale Dr. The search warrant was served at about 10:20 PM. No persons were located at any of the residences. Located and seized from the residences were a total of 420 growing marijuana plants. The plants ranged in height from about 1 inch to 3 feet. Processed marijuana, and paraphernalia used to package marijuana for sales was also located, along with hash.
Suspects have been identified although no arrested have been made at this time. The investigation is continuing.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Burglar Captured
Update May 13th, 2008
Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives arrested two men today in connection with a home-invasion style robbery that occurred on Little Fairfield on April 30, 2008. At about 7:10 a.m. yesterday the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, with personnel from the US Marshals Service and State Parole Agents, served a search warrant at an apartment on the 100 block of W. Del Norte Street in Eureka. The Sheriff's Office's Special Enforcement Team made entry into the apartment. Inside the apartment, Melvin Matthews, 25 of Eureka, was taken into custody without incident and booked for a parole violation.
Further investigation led to the arrest Ray "Rafey" M. James, 35 of Willow Creek. James was already in custody, having been arrested by the Eureka Police Department on Saturday for auto theft.
Today the two men were booked for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, kidnapping, making threats with the intent to terrorize, burglary, and conspiracy. Neither man is eligible to post bail as they are both on parole and have also been booked for violation of parole. The men are expected to be arraigned on this case by Thursday.
This case stems from an April 30 incident in which three armed men broke into a residence on the 4300 block of Little Fairfield. It was reported that three suspects struck the occupants of the home multiple times. The suspects took electronic equipment, a shotgun, and marijuana from the residence. The investigation into a possible third is continuing.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Burglary Update
May 7, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the burglary of a service station on Blue Lake Blvd. that was reported early Monday morning. Witnesses reported seeing a black pick-up truck at the station during the burglary. One witness saw the truck drive away from the business. The Sheriff's Office believes that truck has been located.
This morning the Sheriff's Office received a call from a local auto dealership. The caller told the Sheriff's Office that he had reported a black Dodge truck stolen from the dealership Monday (5/05/08) evening. The California Highway Patrol recovered the truck that same evening after it was found abandoned on Essex Ln. near Timmons Rd (off of Hwy 299). Through news media accounts, the caller recognized the similarities between his dealership's stolen vehicle and the description of the vehicle used in the burglary. The Sheriff's Office believes there is a high probability this is the same truck.
Sheriff's Detectives are still asking for the public's assistance. The Sheriff's Office is still interested in the location of the truck between the burglary Monday morning and when it was recovered Monday evening. The truck is a new black Dodge Dakota, extended cab, 2-wheel drive pick-up, with paper license plates. It has some read-end damage, including a broken left taillight. Anyone who saw a truck matching that description in the Blue Lake, Fieldbrook, or McKinleyville areas on Monday should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Horse Rescue Adoption Update
April 29th, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is moving forward with the planned auction of 24 of the 40 horses seized from the Myers Flat property April 1, 2008. As indicated in an earlier news release, interested adopters must complete an application to be considered. New application pick-up sites have been added; applications can be picked-up at the following locations:
North Coast Veterinary Hospital (Arcata & Fortuna)
Farm Store (Eureka)
Nilsen Company (Eureka & Ferndale)
Sunny Brae Animal Clinic
Main Street Feed (Fortuna)
Fortuna Feed and Garden Center
Ferndale Veterinary
Three G's Hay and Grain (Arcata)
Applications can still be picked-up at the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in Eureka and the Sheriff's Animal Shelter in McKinleyville. The applications should be submitted to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in person or by mail and must be received by May 12, 2008. All applications will be reviewed in a pre-approval process prior to the applicant being allowed to bid.
This will be a closed bid auction. Bids will be accepted between May 19th, 2008 and May 22, 2008. The right of adoption will be awarded to the highest, approved bidder. Further information may be picked at the Sheriff's Office in Eureka, or the Humboldt County Sheriff's Animal Shelter in McKinleyville.
These horses were all seized during an April 1st incident in which Sheriff's Deputies and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant on property in Myers Flat. The horses were lice infested, standing in manure, urine, and mud, and were without proper shelter.
Anyone with questions about the auction should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Animal Shelter at (707) 840-9132.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Burglary
May 6, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office responded to a business in Blue Lake after receiving a report of burglary in progress yesterday morning. At about 4:45 a.m. a witness called the Sheriff's Office to report that he could see somebody burglarizing the gas station on the 200 block of Blue Lake Blvd. The caller reported seeing a man carrying a heavy object to a truck that was backed up to the business. The suspect then drove east on Blue Lake Blvd.
Evidence at the scene of the burglary (and additional witness statements) indicates that the suspect may have driven his truck backwards into the front door of the business. The suspect stole the safe from the business.
Witnesses described the suspect's vehicle as a black extended cab, 2-wheel drive pick-up truck (possibly a Dodge), lowered to the ground. There will likely be some rear-end damage, including a broken taillight.
The suspect is described only as a male dressed in a dark colored sweatshirt and a baseball cap. One witness reported hearing the suspect yell something and he may have a Hispanic accent.
Anyone with information about this case should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Parolee Aressted after Pursuit
May 3rd, 2008
A Humboldt County Sheriff's Deputy arrested a wanted parolee last night after finding him in possession of a loaded handgun and an ensuing foot pursuit. Deputy Lagarda was conducting a vehicle investigation at Broadway and Henderson at about 6:00 p.m. on a car with two occupants. The driver, Anthony Dahm, 36 and transient, told Deputy Lagarda that the driver's window did not roll down and he would have to open his door. As Dahm opened his door, Deputy Lagarda spotted the handle of a revolver tucked behind the driver's seat next to the door. Deputy Lagarda drew his department issued firearm and ordered Dahm out of the vehicle; Dahm complied. Deputy Lagarda told Dahm to place his hands on the trunk of the vehicle and told the passenger of the vehicle, Jodene Whitaker, 31 of Crescent City, to stay in the car. As Deputy Lagarda called for backup and attempted to place Dahm in handcuffs, Dahm ran away, heading southbound on Broadway. Deputy Lagarda chased him while attempting to provide updated directions and a clothing description over his portable radio. Additional Sheriff's Deputies and Eureka Police Officers arrived and assisted in both taking Dahm into custody and securing the vehicle and passenger (Whitaker). Dahm had fled to the 1200 block of Bayshore Way where he was arrested; Whitaker had stayed in the car.
Deputies learned that Dahm had an outstanding warrant for being a "parolee at large" and was to be considered "armed and dangerous." The gun in the car was a loaded .38 caliber revolver. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, resisting or obstructing a peace a officer, possession marijuana, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and a parole hold. He is not eligible to post bail due to his parole status.
Whitaker had an infraction warrant for which she was cited. She was released at the scene.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Robbery
May 1st. 2008
Humboldt County Sheriffs responded to a residence on the 4300 block of Little Fairfield early Wednesday morning after receiving a report of a robbery. At about 1:45 a.m. deputies arrived at the house and were told by a man and a woman there that they had been inside when they heard their back door crash open. The couple reported that three men entered their house. Two of the suspects were holding handguns and ordered the couple to get on the floor. They both complied but the suspects struck them multiple times. The suspects began going through the couple's belongings. The couple reported that they were ordered into a bathroom where they were tied up. They said they heard the three suspects inside the house as they freed themselves and crawled out a bathroom window. The couple ran to a neighbor's house and called 9-1-1. The three suspects were gone when deputies arrived. The victims said the suspects took miscellaneous electronic equipment, a shotgun, 65 marijuana plants, two pounds of processed marijuana, and four pounds of recently harvested marijuana.
The suspects are described as follows:
Suspect #1: White male adult, blue eyes, possibly blonde hair. Wearing a black sweatshirt, faded blue jeans, tan boots and a black ski mask with a blue and yellow sticker in the middle of the mask.
Suspect #2: Black male adult, possible in his 20's with a muscular build wearing all black clothing and tan boots.
Suspect #3: Black male adult, average height and weight, but was wearing a handkerchief over his face.
One of the victims, Daniel G. Jarrette, 21, had three outstanding felony warrants out of Virginia for conspiracy to sell marijuana, larceny, and money laundering. Jarrette was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked under California Penal Code 1551 which initiates extradition proceedings.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Horse Rescue Adoption Update
April 29th, 2008
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is moving forward with the planned auction of 24 of the 40 horses seized from the Myers Flat property April 1, 2008. As indicated in an earlier news release, interested adopters must complete an application to be considered. New application pick-up sites have been added; applications can be picked-up at the following locations:
North Coast Veterinary Hospital (Arcata & Fortuna)
Farm Store (Eureka)
Nilsen Company (Eureka & Ferndale)
Sunny Brae Animal Clinic
Main Street Feed (Fortuna)
Fortuna Feed and Garden Center
Ferndale Veterinary
Three G's Hay and Grain (Arcata)
Applications can still be picked-up at the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in Eureka and the Sheriff's Animal Shelter in McKinleyville. The applications should be submitted to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in person or by mail and must be received by May 12, 2008. All applications will be reviewed in a pre-approval process prior to the applicant being allowed to bid.
This will be a closed bid auction. Bids will be accepted between May 19th, 2008 and May 22, 2008. The right of adoption will be awarded to the highest, approved bidder. Further information may be picked at the Sheriff's Office in Eureka, or the Humboldt County Sheriff's Animal Shelter in McKinleyville.
These horses were all seized during an April 1st incident in which Sheriff's Deputies and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant on property in Myers Flat. The horses were lice infested, standing in manure, urine, and mud, and were without proper shelter.
Anyone with questions about the auction should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Animal Shelter at (707) 840-9132.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Drowning
Humboldt County Sheriffs Detectives responded to Hoopa late Saturday afternoon after a man drowned in the Trinity River. At about 4:20 p.m. Saturday a Sheriff's Deputy was near the Hoopa Station and recognized pedestrian James J. Randall as having an outstanding felony warrant. The deputy attempted to make contact with Randall. Randall, 22 of Hoopa, fled from the deputy. Randall ran around a nearby motel and down to the Trinity River. He ran east along the river, under the Highway 96 Bridge. Randall took off some of his clothing and then entered the water. He swam into the river but was swept downriver by the strong current. Sheriff's Deputies launched a boat at the river access behind Legion Hall. As they were launching the boat they were notified that Randall had been recovered at Big Rock (near the Rodeo Grounds). Citizens began resuscitation efforts until Sheriff's Deputies took over when they arrived in the boat a few minutes later. Medical personnel arrived and pronounced Randall deceased.
The point in the river where Randall entered was about 150 feet across and the water temperature was approximately 48 degrees.
GARY PHILP
Sheriff
Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey PIO
Note From Editor: I watched the trial of Johnny Randall Jr. this young mans brother and mentor. The trial was for trying to escape police before and while in custody. Which he was convicted of by a jury in Judge John Feeney's court. Prosecutor DDA Allan Dollison won the case. I wonder who or what is teaching the Randall family to run from the law... Steve
