Apr 8, 2025

Destinee Rhamy lucked out having this private attorney court appointed to her two year case after the PD's office last minute trial delay two weeks ago

 


Homicide suspect Destinee Rhamy's case was on today for trial setting and confirmation of counsel. Ms. Andrea Sullivan was appointed to represent Rhamy. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for this case. Trial setting on 5/6.

In my March 27, post, I reported that Rhamy was most likely to get a private attorney. Ms. Sullivan is her third attorney.

Johnnie David Acosta's 2025 arrest for domestic violence, witness intimidation, false imprisonment, assault and kidnapping is more serious than previous arrests or convictions

Johnnie David Acosta was arrested yesterday by HCSO for PC 273.5(a) corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant, PC 136.1(b)(1) dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim, PC 236 false imprisonment, PC 207(a) kidnapping and PC 245(a)(4) assault likely to produce great bodily injury.

He has several cases with at least two convictions, one conviction set aside and a dismissal in his most recent case which was in 2024.

Thank you Supervisor Bushnell and Sheriff William Honsal

 

(Supervisor Bushnell)

(William Honsal)

After the 9th Circuit ruling, we are not allowed to post pre trial booking photos but there are still other reasons to contact the HCSO PIO. Knowing that Meghan Ruiz was leaving, I haven't been sending requests. HCSO is busy; short staffed and media requests vs deputies responding to public safety calls is a no brainer.

Trinidad Rancheria releases statement about IMLS funding


 

Forcible rape suspect lets go of Ken Bareilles, hires Gregory Kreis for trial

Forcible rape suspect Frank Alves has retained Mr. Gregory Kreis who substituted in as attorney and Mr. Ken Bareilles is no longer his attorney. The court minutes say Mr. Kreis is retained; not appointed. Alves was the caregiver for Jane Doe, a dependent adult.

Mr. Kreis was talking to Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer after court today about discovery. 

Alves was arraigned today. Readiness Conference is scheduled for 5/21; jury trial on 5/27.

This is the second client in an alleged sex offense that Mr. Bareilles has hired another attorney after the preliminary hearing. I previously reported that alleged sex trafficker Darin Ward is looking for another attorney. Ward has a hearing in his case on 4/9. 

Russel Nylander has a $100,000 loan on his house, Redwood Meat Co majority shareholder Ray Christie is being sued by a Idaho trucking company for payment due but he had the bucks to buy shares, Nylander vs Nylander hearing continued to August

 

Trial setting was scheduled on 4/725 in the Nylander vs Nylander lawsuit. 

Apr 7, 2025

Court trial scheduled for local attorney Russ Clanton traffic case for speeding

This google search confirms what I was told today that Russ Clanton has closed his Arcata law office. He has not appeared on a case for years now.

I had noticed local attorney Russ Clanton's name and a traffic case on the calendar last year. It was dismissed by Commissioner Sarah Kaber due to failure to prosecute; no DA in court. Today, I saw a 2024 traffic case with his name on the calendar. This is a second traffic case. It is for speeding and after his court trial this afternoon, Commissioner Sarah Kaber  found him guilty. Clanton has to pay a fine of $225.

One unconscious victim transported to the hospital in critical condition in Silvercrest fire

(Photo: Humboldt Bay Fire)

(Photo: Humboldt Bay Fire)

On Monday April 7th, 2025 @ 0650 hours, Humboldt Bay Fire was dispatched to a reported structure fire @ 2141 Tydd St in Eureka (The Silvercrest Residence). 

Paul Gallegos representing Joshua Neff in 2025 battery and criminal threats case

Joshua Forrest Neff aka Joshua F Neff aka Joshua Neff had a jury trial scheduled this morning in a 2025 case where he is charged with Count 1 battery and Count 2 criminal threats. Neff is represented by Mr. Paul Gallegos. The trial is trailing for assignment and was continued to 4/9 because no judge and no courtroom was available.

The alleged victim in this 2025 criminal case is Rio Torrey SavageClanton. Local attorney Russ Clanton son on FB is RioSavage.

Janssen Malloy withdraws two declarations in support of the preliminary injunction filed in the Hillsdale Apartments lawsuit

 


I have been the only one reporting regularly on the lawsuit filed by two Hillsdale Apartments against their landlord Mr. Anil Dwivedi. 

On Friday, Janssen Malloy's Ms. Meagan Yarnall filed a brief two page filing withdrawing the declaration in support of the preliminary injunction requested as well as the 3/20/25 amended declaration I included in my March 21 post. Where is her co-counsel, Mr. Jeff Slack?

This could have been done at at the February 2024 hearing instead of wasting everyone's time. Is this the first of Janssen Malloy's saving face and backtracking a hastily filed lawsuit?

Instead of Ms. Yarnall's interpretation of what Mr. Dwivedi declaration stated or what he said in court, you can read the court document and court testimony in my previous posts of the lawsuits.

A motion to strike was filed by Mr. Dwivedi and Dwivedi Tower LLC. It has not been scanned into e court yet. I also heard another declaration has been filed by Ms. Yarnall but it has not been scanned into e court and the file is with Judge Canning, according to e court.

Janssen Malloy has not bothered to respond to my previous requests for comment. I reached out to see if Mr. Dwivedi or Dhillon Law Group wished to comment. "Not at this time, thank you for checking."


Apr 6, 2025

After days of mostly DUI arrests, HCSO arrests one for domestic battery; EPD arrests 1 for stalking

 

(From Shouse Law)

Mallorie Ryan Leavitt was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 243(e)(1) domestic battery.

(From Shouse Law)

Cy Cyrus was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC 646.9(a) stalking.

Both posted bond.

Apr 5, 2025

Restraining order granted against Cornelius Lowenstein aka Cornelius Ravenstein requested by his neighbor in Trinidad





On 4/2/25, in CV2500321 Jon Roberson's request for a civil harassment restraining order against Cornelius Lowenstein was granted by Judge Timothy Canning. A temporary restraining granted was previously granted by Commissioner Sarah Kaber.

The DAs office tries to protect victims from repeat offenders, Judge Cockrum's slap on the wrist on a repeat violent offender and the PD's office misuse of mental health diversion endangers the safety of the community


On April 2, at 9:52 a.m. Sean Lundy was walking down 6th and H towards G, calls me the F homophobic slur and continues to spew verbal abuse. That did not surprise me. 

In my February 23 post about him, I went into detail about his criminal history, repeated arrests and why he has no business being out on the streets. In addition to his previous attempt to threaten and harass me, later he "got into it" with my former landlord who told me that Sean was still staying in the house as of last month; a property he damaged when I had to call EPD and have a police report for the incident. Sean was drunk from morning until night and even cameras did not deter him from being verbally abusive or threatening. I had to end up moving; not Sean. This happens all the time in Humboldt. Law abiding citizens suffer while criminals are coddled.   

Sean was walking so I hope he is no longer driving. Sean even got into it with my former landlord but this landlord choses to rent to him and  he and I don't see eye to eye about Sean. The same is true for the others who enable Sean and make excuses for Sean and these attorneys and judges who are a part of the local criminal justice system aren't the ones whose safety and peace of mind is being affected and they aren't the ones being threatened by repeat offenders like Sean. Judge Kaleb Cockrum placed him on probation in his 2025 case, Sean entered a plea in CR2500489 on 3/24/25.  Sean's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton got another repeat offender, Analia Martinez, mental health diversion.

This nonsense of judicial immunity with no exceptions needs to change locally and nationwide. No consequences are not in the interest of public safety and if certain judges are just going to allow repeat offenders on the street when probation, ankle monitors and restraining orders have failed to protect the victims and the community, there needs to be a process to hold them accountable. Deputy Public Defenders are paid by taxpayers. Their job is to defend their clients and protect their rights; not unleash repeat, unremorseful offenders on the community and make a mockery out of mental health for someone to escape consequences of their actions.

Former Quality Inn on 4th in Eureka changed to Bayside Inn, now Ramada has been added to the name

 


Since the Natha family who also own Townhouse Motel and Super 8 in Eureka took ownership, Quality Inn on Fourth Street changed the name to Bayside Inn & Sites. These name changes occurred after 2019 to present. I don't recall any other Humboldt hotel going through constant name changes in a few years when they have the same ownership. 

There are many valid reasons a hotel would change their name.  Some of the local hotels who are still doing well despite Humboldt's economy have a great local and out of county reputation, they attract high end customers and are the choice of local businesses and even stay busy during winter have. They have had the same owner and the same name. Good customer service, excellent long term manager, treating each customer with respect is the reason for their success. Referral and word of mouth is key to marketing and having the same name online and in other marketing makes a difference.

Now it is Ramada Bayside Inn and Suites. Father is Magan Natha. Son is Alpesh Natha. I have no idea how involved Magan is still with the businesses. Google search for Magan Natha shows him as a registered agent for several LLCs and a permit issued in 2023 by the City of Eureka.

The Humboldt Lodging Alliance still lists it as Quality Inn so some Humboldt Marketing sites.


This is not related to the name change but the last time I covered the Nathas was a court case have involving the Townhouse and Labor Commission. 





As is the case with many "locals", Magan's feelings about me when he first met me years ago are different than when I covered his business on the blog. I really don't care. He and every other person here who changed their opinion because I covered a court case or news about them, reported facts and informed the community are the problem; not me. Life is difficult, a struggle and unsafe when you do independent reporting and investigative journalism in a small County where you are expected to look the other way and know your place.