Male victim in Kish's alleged sodomy and forcible copulation case talks about the alleged arson incident; the alleged sexual assault and abuse

The confidential male victim in the case in which Jeremy Kish has been charged with sodomy by use of force and forcible oral copulation contacted me. I have spoken to him, I do have his name and contact information.

I have previously mentioned in my first post that I am familiar with Kish. The male victim shared some details with me about information I am personally aware of through my own contact with Kish and others in the community that have dealt with him. One of the reasons that the victim contacted me is because I am the only source of information; the only one to cover this case. He has not talked to anyone and does not intend to, he felt he could trust me because "you know how Jeremy's mind works."

The victim is 18 years old, and will be "turning 19" in two months. He said he was "living with Jeremy in his truck" and they went back and forth between Eureka and Arcata. This is also information that I have personally witnessed and has been relayed to me by other sources I know well, all who have personally dealt with Kish. "He said it started out as a relationship but got verbally and physically abusive." The victim said that Kish was ashamed of him and made him duck in the truck as he drove and sit in the truck as he went to places.

The victim claims that it was earlier on the same day when the alleged arson incident occurred that Kish sexually assaulted him. That night, the victim said Kish started the fire, which he intended to put out "to look like a hero to the owner of the Alliance building. He thought maybe he could then get some money from the owner."

It was Kish who made the call to 911 that got the police suspicious, said the victim. When the police got there, the victim initially lied and said Kish was his brother. They were taken to the police station where Kish tried to "blame the arson on me." The police spoke to the victim after they had spoken with Kish and that is when he told them what had happened to him earlier that day and about the alleged arson.

I would urge other people, especially those who have contacted me with concerns and questions about Kish, to contact the DA's office instead because Kish's potential placement or potential release and any information that is relevant to that decision is vital to public safety of this community.