Yesterday, another judicial appointments press release from California Governor Gavin Newsom's Office. Once again, Humboldt Department 6 temporary appointment MIA.
They shouldn't have said it won't be on the ballot this June before making an appointment. Candidates have a March 6 deadline & for months, Humboldt courts are having to pay Retired or Visiting judges.
I have covered Ms. Elan Firpo for years. First as a former Humboldt Deputy District Attorney. Regular, longtime readers will remember her from my coverage of the Bodhi tree case. She also ran for DA in 2014. I covered her campaign. She had her own law firm, Firpo Law Firm right by the Courthouse but most recently is an attorney at Stokes, Hamer, Kirk, Firpo & Auwarter, LLP.
Today, there was a case management conference scheduled in a breach of contract lawsuit filed on 8/20/25 by Cassie Brown vs Elan Firpo. Civil minutes could be up today or days later. There is a demurrer scheduled on 3/9/26.
Brown is represented by Oakland attorney Michael R. Huff Oakland who has filed an opposition to the demurrer.
Ms. Firpo has hired William A. Munoz and Bill Munoz of Freeman, Mathis, Gary LLP which is Roseville law firm.
I have included the complaint and other court documents if you want details.
Got to give a shout out to Humboldt County Sheriff's Office for their timely press releases, some the same day of arrests & their professionalism in prompt responses & treating all media fairly. This is a small, rural County, also short staffed & they deserve kudos for all they do.
On Feb. 19., at 7:42 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff deputies, assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team served a search warrant at a residence located in the 2300 block of Lee Ln. in Eureka.
Got to agree with California Governor Gavin Newsom on this one. The people deserve refund checks from President Donald Trump because cost of living was already high & businesses, especially corporate screwed the people.
The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling said that the tariffs exceed the powers given to the president by Congress under a 1977 law providing him the authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats.
The court did not weigh in on whether or how the federal government should provide refunds to the importers who have paid the tariffs, estimated in 2025 at more than $200 billion. Before the importers, the people in the U.S. deserve refunds.
Even though it was not all tariffs, this administration needs to read the tea leaves that they are losing people regarding Epstein files; people support Tom Homan but not the Noem, Lewandowski, Miller tactics. The Supreme Court is not a guarantee for this administration.
I covered Jared Johnson in 2022 and his arrest on December 30, 2024 for alleged sex crimes involving a minor. His criminal history also includes a 2023 case and details are in previous coverage.
Johnson was arraigned on charges for the sex crimes involving a minor on 1/2/25. There were several continuances of his preliminary hearing. On 2/18/26, instead of apreliminary hearing in CR2500019, Johnson entered a plea which was taken by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Cockrum.
Johnson has to register as a sex offender; he pleaded guilty to added Count 3 PC 261.5 (c) statutory rape and admitted special allegation PC 667 b (i) which is California's three strikes sentencing enhancement. Counts 1 and 2 were dismissed.
Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor for the case. Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian is Johnson's attorney.
Sentencing is on 3/12.
I did two previous posts on Salisha Danale Dean who was arrested by EPD last August.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/12/failure-to-appear-in-court-arrest.html?
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/08/if-salisha-dean-arrested-by-epd-for.html?m=1
Today, there was trial confirmation scheduled in CR2502364. Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge dismissed the case on the motion by Deputy District Attorney Matt Dobie. Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps is Dean's attorney.
Sparrow Albritton was arrested twice last year. In October for statutory rape and in December for DUI and child endangerment. Charges were filed for the December arrest; CHP is the agency.
The DA's office was waiting on the report and arrest warrant information from Fortuna PD and I have been checking regularly. Yesterday, nothing had been filed when I checked; later in the day, the complaint by Humboldt Deputy District Attorney was entered in the system. Arraignment in the Fortuna case is for statutory rape, alleged molestation is on 3/17/26 which is the same day as the preliminary hearing for the DUI child abuse case. Albritton is charged with three felonies for PC 261.5 (d) statutory rape and three felonies for PC 288 (c) (1) lewd act on a child. Alleged victim John Doe.
2020 failed Eureka Council Ward candidate Tamar Shirley who went MIA after qualification. He has filed a lawsuit against Humboldt Superior Court Judge April Van Dyke alleging civil rights violation, violation of due process, violation of equal protection, acts outside judicial capacity, declaratory and injunctive relief
There is a hearing on a request for demurrer with prejudice scheduled with Justice Stuart Pollak via Zoom today. All Humboldt Superior Judges recused themselves.
Ms. Sharon Nagle is representing Judge Van Dyke. Shirley is pro per. He did not file opposition to demurrer as of 2/11. Shirley was not in court. Demurrer sustained. Case dismissed.
Shirley is not only stupid but he is clueless that you can't sue judge. Especially, if you just don't like the ruling.
Most of the points I was going to make are listed in court documents filed on behalf of Judge Van Dyke. The California Commission on Judicial Performance would laugh if Shirley even bothered to contact them. Only in Humboldt is there this kind of nonsense allowed to waste court time.
Shirley has not listed his middle name & I am not wasting time I dont have looking through every one of 36 searches to list every conviction or outcome in Humboldt Superior Court but most of the cases have a D and the same middle name Demetrious Dewayne & I checked the address in the civil lawsuit against other court documents.
HCSO just issued a press release about two false imprisonment suspects. I reported about 19 year old Eric Nelson's arrest by EPD last year for criminal threats and violation of a court order.
Yesterday, I did an all day, live coverage of the plea deal of convicted sexual batterer and sex offender Arda Kizilay. It took all day because two Turkish interpreters had to translate everything.
After my post yesterday, the victim in this case emailed and thanked me. No other media was in court yesterday or followed up on Kizilay after the arrest.
Court minutes, what Kizilay pleaded to and other details including sentencing date are in yesterday's post. Links to previous coverage are in yesterday's post.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/plea-deal-or-not-lot-of-twist-and-turns.html?m=1
I explained that I would do a separate post on the plea because the details in court are not in the minutes. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Killoran went over the plea meticulously. The factual basis was stated in court which explains for the first time what happened and what led to Kizilay's arrest and confirmed my research that Kizilay worked for Door Dash.
Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor. Ms. Kathleen Bryson is Kizilay's attorney. Kizilay, mostly looked resigned and defeated. When Ms. Schaffer was stating the factual basis which is a summary of probable cause, hearing what Jane Doe endured was difficult enough but Kizilay interrupted at one point, "no, no" and Ms. Bryson had to hush him and explain. So, he does understand English and was able to talk to the victim but taxpayers needed to pay for two interpreters who will also assist with a pre-sentence report and sentencing. I heard him speak; he understands and can communicate in English enough where no translation is needed.
When the sentencing date was set, Kizilay made a comment, "he lives far away."
**This is court coverage and court record of facts about a convicted sexual batterer and sex offender and includes graphic language. If you chose to continue to read beyond this point, that is your choice. **
When someone asks, are you John Chiv? And especially at the courthouse, it can be good or...so I am hesitant before I answer. Penni Renner Richardson, it was one of your friends. When she said that, I was relieved. I do appreciate when I meet my readers and get to know you in person. Many of you share my posts, you read them and have been loyal for years. Thank you.
What catches me off guard is at a restaurant, taking a cab, speaking with customer service and someone says, I know who you are. I read your blog, your Facebook page.
Just got a tip from a valid source. Yurok Tribe has applied for the California Tribal Police Pilot Program. According to my source, Yurok Tribe is the only local tribe who applied by the initial deadline.
I spoke with Yurok Tribe Police Greg O'Rourke. He told me that he cannot confirm whether other tribes have applied since he does not have access to that information which only the selection committee would know. Chief O'Rourke said the California Department of Justice has extended the deadline for applications.
I have been the only one following sexual battery suspect Arda Kizilay's case and with exclusive details. Kizilay is not allowed to work at Door Dash until this case concludes.
This morning at 9:40 p.m. I saw Kizilay sitting by himself at in jeans and a green shirt.
The preliminary hearing was assigned to Judge Timothy Canning. Ms. Bryson made oral motion to disqualify Judge Canning at 10:40 p.m. and the case got sent to Courtroom 5.
In May 2025, after I called him out about his ruling in the Richard Stobaugh case. RHBB commenters spoke up for me in Ryan Hutson's post about his ruling. Judge Cockrum then reversed his ruling. He isnt even the judge hearing the prelim in the Kizilay case.
At 10:57 a.m. Ms Bryson told Judge Killoran that an offer has been made. I left the courtroom because turkish interpreters are on zoom, Ms. Schaffer left shortly after. Ms Bryson is having ta confidential discussion about the offer to Kizilay.
There is no other media here.
12:09 p.m. Judge Kaleb Cockrum was walking out at the same time as me just now from the Courthouse & he told me "denied without prejudice, just means I can bring it up to the assigned judge." Judge Cockrum also informed attorneys, I can "bring it up again."
While I appreciate that, Humboldt has no current protocol to address the court. If that is what Humboldt wants to do in the future, in Utah, they have "media intervenors" who are attorneys who appear pro bono for any journalist. We don't in Humboldt.
Judge Cockrum could have not denied the request, instead just told court staff and left the order blank and assigned judge will rule after discussing with attorneys.
1:40 p.m. Attorneys in intervention with Judge Killoran.
3 p.m.: Kizilay entered a plea to Count 2 felony sexual battery. Count 1 was dismissed. Sentencing on March 30. Eureka Police Department Officer Koa Mihalov was in court.
I will be doing a separate post on the plea because the details in court are not in the minutes. Judge Killoran went over the plea meticulously. The factual basis was stated in court which explains for the first time what happened and what led to Kizilay's arrest and confirmed my research that Kizilay worked for Door Dash. This is court coverage of a convicted sexual batterer and sex offender and includes graphic language. At least Jane Doe is spared the ordeal of a trial. No other media was in court.
"On February 17 at about 11:26 a.m., personnel from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a traffic crash on State Route 162 near mile marker 10.8. A vehicle was reported to have left the roadway, went down an embankment, and entered the Eel River. Emergency rescue teams searched the water while officers checked the surrounding area. However, unsafe weather, high water levels, and poor water visibility made conditions too dangerous for search teams to continue in the river. Search and Rescue personnel will resume operations when it is safe to do so. The CHP is working closely with Caltrans, Laytonville Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate ongoing search efforts. This crash is still under investigation." --Garberville CHP Officer Giselle Moore.
CHP Humboldt Public Information, Recruitment and Court Liaison Officer Jason Esselman just released this statement, "The weather is continuing to beat SR-299. CHP is closing SR-299 from the Blue Lake Scales to Mile Post Marker 33 due to snow, falling trees and power lines, and disabled vehicles. We urge the motoring public to avoid the area and we will provide updates as the situation changes. Thanks for your cooperation and assistance."
9:53 update: "Cal Trans and PG&E have worked diligently to reopen the road for both directions. We encourage drivers to be cautious in the area."
None of the coverage today included MarQuetta "Marq" Clayton's failed candidacy. I researched her.
Clayton who was a 2024 candidate for judge is now representing Maricela Rueda, one of nine defendants charged in connection with the ambush shooting of a police officer at a Texas U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center.
The articles on the mistrial declared today by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman are all over the place with some differences but what is common in all coverage is that a mistrial was declared.
Judge Pittman halted jury selection after noticing Clayton's t-shirt which featured civil rights icons. Different articles name different leaders and activists.
"I don’t know why in the world you would think that’s appropriate,” Judge Pittman told Clayton.
On January 10, I reported about the arrest "of Ericka Marie Rosas was booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday an arrest warrant for PC 664/187(a) attempted murder and PC 245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm."
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/second-arrest-booked-into-jail-for.html?m=1
The alleged victim is Jacob Paul Swagert, who according to the information is either an ex or former boo and is unclear if they share achild the way it is worded. Rosas' choice of weapon:a vehicle.
Rosas' booking photo looks nothing like her Facebook profile (s).
Rosas was arraigned on 1/13; Conflict Counsel's office was appointed. OR and supervised release was denied on 1/15 by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran. The preliminary hearing was continued three times. At the last continuance, Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims requested release and it was granted by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum, On 2/3, after the preliminary hearing, Judge Cockrum did not hold Rosas to answer to the attempted murder charge. He did to assault with a deadly weapon and found probable cause for battery as well as hit and run with property damage. Judge Cockrum denied Mr. Nims' request to reduce to a misdemeanor. Court minutes do not indicate what charge. I am not going to assume Count 2.
Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees was the prosecutor for the preliminary hearing. Other Deputy DAs have appeared on the case. At the conclusion of the hearing, Mr. Rees said that Deputy DA Brandon Boozari is taking over the case as prosecutor.
I have included the court minutes, complaint and information so you can see the change in charges.
Rosas was supposed to be arraigned this afternoon. She failed to appear in court, bench warrant was issued for $45,000 & held until 2/24.