Ashley Pearce-Pifferini arraignment continued to Monday

 

Ashley Pearce-Pifferini arraignment on information was continued from this morning to 4/20. An order was issued due to power outage rescheduling cases from this morning. While court minutes say DA not present and Public Defender not present; obviously there was a reason.

For the jury trial, Pearce-Pifferini is charged with Count 1 murder PC 187 (a), Count 2 PC 273 ab (a) assault upon a child causing death and Count 3 PC 273a (a) child abuse. 

This is a 2024 case. Phoenix Jayden Asti was born in September 2019. The dates in the three counts are October and November 2021. While 2 Count says "a child under 8 years" because that is Penal Code language; Phoenix was 2 years old.

The screenshots are of the three posts on this case which you can access via the search feature on the blog. Some of the posts have updates of certain hearings.

Austin Medeiros court trial starts this afternoon

 

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum's sentencing of convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was overturned on appeal.

His competency court trial is go and starts this afternoon in Courtroom 1.

This is a brief update. With the power outage, I put in extra effort to get information out on a few cases of local interest. Use the search feature for previous posts.

This would not have been possible without the help of court administration and court staff. This is where 12 years of a daily court beat helps you.

One minute to Bayshore Mall sale, where is the County or City of Eureka?

 

Bayshore Mall is going to go at 10 a.m. Solo photo of Mike Adams sub contractor handling the foreclosure. 

The other people say they are not bidders, just interested parties including Anil Dwivedi.

10:02 No bids. There was one bidder who did not have a third party check. No one from County of Humboldt or City of Eureka.

Power out at the courthouse, ground floor to third floor

4th street entrance to Courthouse not accessible. HCSO Sgt. Comer told me the power is out. However, it is not just the 4th street entrance.

Got more details that power out ground floor to third floor. Clerk's office closed. Tonev arraignment and others not completed.

9:39 a.m. ETA is 12:30 for power to be restored. Bailiffs trying to help people. Jail, Public Defender's, Conflict Counsel all no power.

Clerks are rescheduling case by case. 

9:46 a.m. Sgt. Comer just said building is closed except to County and court employees.

Jail power never goes out. 

Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel said courts are closed. At 1:30 depending on power, evaluation will be done at 1:30 p.m.

10:08 a.m: Just spoke with PG & E spokesperson Megan McFarland. 2,600 customers without power, outage started at 9:24. PG & E dispatched crew, isssue is equipment, ETA now noon; maybe earlier.

10:46 a.m. Power back on. Courts will resume at 1:30.

Jurors, attorneys and parties were told in person or notified by the court. You are getting those updates live because I took the extra time to do so while catching up with what I need to do.

One of the alleged victims named in Georgi Tonev unified information for his two HCSO cases

 

I covered Georgi Tonev's arrest, charges filed and every court hearing. I also have exclusive information no one else has on this case. This case has had many twists and turns but as previously reported, Tonev posted bond on April 7.

I have the unified complaint for Tonev. I have included it with this post. I am going to wait until arraignment is completed before I get some clarification from Ms. Sullivan; if necesary.

One of the alleged victims is named in the information; Javier EscamillaGarcia. Taxes,  wages, workman's comp are more of the counts than the human trafficking and marijuana cultivation in Humboldt County; hardly a shocker; thrown in to increase the number of counts.

As I have written before, whatever political hard on HCSO and the DA have for Tonev has not been revealed yet. With the plea deals the Humboldt County DA's office has given for similar charges; all this political theater may fool someone not familiar with Humboldt courts and the way Humboldt works.

HCSO chose to release photos of Tonev's arrest even though he was in custody when they don't for other violent suspects using they are in jail as an excuse.

If HCSO and the DA's office are so concerned about immigrants and human trafficking, then I would like to see the same effort put in to investigating other immigrant communities but in Humboldt, as readers have also commented, it is who you know and selective targeting. 

Years after wasting resources on the Ray Christie case and two trials, a secret plea deal; his criminal conviction expunged and the truth coming out now in disclosures because it is a federal lawsuit where Humboldt insiders don't have control.

Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Buckley-Stein is the prosecutor for this case but other prosecutors have also appeared on the case.

It was not until I called out other local media in my April 7 post that there was follow up by one outlet with a summary from court minutes and a comment from Ms. Andrea Sullivan, Tonev's attorney. Did they quote her correctly and completely? Based on my experience with that reporter and outlet, you should compare the my live coverage from court and the court minutes  provided. The other local media, who like this outlet, profited from marijuana are still not covering this case. It does not surprise anyone who has followed me since the beginning and anyone familiar with Humboldt that the other local media selectively covers court cases and news.

Arraignment not completed this morning due to power outage. Ms. Sullivan was present before power outage; not present after power outage. DA not present. Rescheduled to 4/20.

Cameron Christiansen arrested by HCSO for lewd acts with a minor and sexual penetration of a victim incapable of giving consent due to a disability

25 year old Cameron Kyle Christiansen was arrested yesterday on a Ramey warrant by HCSO Detective Shane Steele for two violations of PC 288(a) lewd or lascivious act with a minor and PC 289 (b) sexual penetration with a foreign object where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability. Bail at booking is $95,000.

No criminal case in Humboldt Superior Court but he has a default judgement in a case against him filed by Navy Federal Credit Union.

Another judicial appointment press release with no mention of Humboldt

 

These are just two of the many posts I have done on the vacant Humboldt judicial position which has been vacant since former Humboldt Superior Court Judge Joyce Hinrichs retired.

Another press release minutes ago from California Governor Gavin Newsom's office of judicial appointments and no appointment for Humboldt.

In June, the voters would have elected Humboldt Superior Court Commisioner Sarah Kaber before the stunt the Newsom administration pulled in January. I have written several times about what this is costing Humboldt Superior Court and the taxpayers.

An updated press release with Humboldt appointment still MIA.

HCSO Hoopa patrols result in multiple arrests of repeat offenders

 

Over the past several weeks, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has conducted targeted, proactive saturation patrols in the Hoopa Valley. These operations were strategically deployed based on current crime data and emerging trends, supported by dedicated deputies who take pride in protecting our communities. The initiative underscores the Sheriff’s Office strong commitment to proactive policing and maintaining a visible law enforcement presence in areas impacted by crime.

With a PAGA lawsuit, a related class action lawsuit, there could be more litigation against CCCU who let go of an employee who worked there for almost 15 years

 

(One of CCCU's Eureka locations)

If you search Coast Central Credit Union in Humboldt Superior Court, there are 200 search results. Most of the cases are CCCU suing people.

There are two related lawsuits filed by Jackson Crockett against the CCCU. One was on 2/18/26 and the other on March 9, 2026 by the same La Jolla law firm, Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP. The lawsuits allege PAGA and labor code violations.

I was initially contacted by a concerned community member who gave me a tip about a CCCU development this week. By today, that person did not want to go on record or be quoted due to fear of retaliation. This happens often. People read my reporting; they contact me about news of public interest and regardless of who they are in Humboldt and connections; there is a pervasive fear of going public. 

That is unfortunate. 

Yet, I am expected to take the risk and I do. Often for people who may want to support me including financially but cannot. Independent reporting does not pay and with CA bill introduced by Rob Bonta's wife; silencing journalists like me is a pen stroke away.

The CA Democrats will do nothing. The CA Republicans talk a lot but they cannot stop the legislation and are ineffective because they don't give a damn about rights of journalists and citizen journalists in CA who have been risking reporting actual news long before Nick Shirley.

The tip I received Tuesday night was that a CCCU employee who worked for CCCU for 14.5 years was let go that day. I briefly spoke to the employee today and I am not identifying him at this time. CCCU knows. I am not going to share some basic details because he is dealing with a lot and if he choses any legal action; I don't want to anything to further cause him stress or jeopardize that effort until something is filed.

I did some research on the employee. CCCU recognized this employee for awards. 

The former employee is weighing whether he wants to talk to media and I support that decision. This employee is more courageous than some people who send me tips and don't want to be quoted. 

There are instances for anonymity but it is used as cowardice by people in Humboldt who enable injustice, retaliation by silence, fear and the "you take risk John but I won't."

CCCU is certainly not the only Humboldt business that has made the news on my blog. The problem is, if someone even takes on businesses and gets a settlement or judgement; they just re-organize or rename like Rentor aka former RPM and it is business, as usual.

Those who still do business with CCCU or Rentor or the many businesses exposed on this blog need to look in the mirror. In CCCU's case, whether it is because people are anti corporate or have some loyalty to the people who started the business need to decide where they spend their money. If you are for workers' rights, then put your money instead of empty words. And if that means a corporate bank who treats employees well; then that is a moral and right choice.

In a small community where private, decent jobs are insufficient to begin with; entrenched, petty arrogance shifts the burden to the taxpayers through unemployment and other programs.

Yes, litigation is pending in the two CCCU lawsuits. This is a small community. Before something gets to court; people know how "bidiness" is done in Humboldt. 

At this time, there is no reason for me to contact CCCU until this employee decides what he will do. 

CV2600037 has a case management conference on 7/6/26. CV2600541 has a Case Management Conference on 9/4/26. I have included some court documents.

Humboldt's problem is the same people have been in charge for decades. The ego and the "power" goes to their heads. They think they are untouchable. They are enabled by silence.

There are very few local lawyers who take cases of injustice on and they are my advertisers for a reason. 

Evil will always exist in Humboldt. It is not my job to continuing exposing it; especially when the funding does not exist. Also, what I expose;  when the other local media  runs a spin for the good ole boys and gals; it is a frustrating effort. 

There is a lot of good to report about Humboldt and I would like to focus on that more. The Humboldt elected officials, the agencies who need to hold people accountable and start doing their jobs which they are paid for. The community members need to stop expecting me to risk, fix decades of injustice and be shameless to want me to do it for free. These are your peers and you all need to call them out to their face.

Either you support who you value or you are a user

 

Random Humboldt readers ignore what I say but continue to email me with demands, a tip that benefits them which is not my decision to decide coverage but the same people have never supported me and I never hear from them once they get what they want. You want Humboldt news, start investing and start sharing my work and start speaking up for me.

You want the benefit of the platform I built with skill, hard work, my time, then cover my expenses and the risks involved with taking on decades of lack of accountability, corruption and the ills of Humboldt. People know what they have received for free for 12 years. It is a choice to continue taking advantage of me. 

My advertisers deserve my time. The attorneys who support and value me deserve my time. 

My job is not what the County, the DA, Victim Witness, your lawyer, your elected officials should be doing. They get paid by the taxpayers. And yet where do you get information they should be providing and who listens to you and brings about changes to decades of entrenched system. Either you value me or you don't. 

I support local businesses because I want them to succeed and I appreciate them. I do it by making a sacrifice for their investment into a community which is very anti business, cliquey and who gets the benefits is dictated by the good ole boys and gals cabal. Those are the conditions I have been dealing with for 22 years. I didn't arrive here cranky. I deserve better.

Most of you and you are all from Humboldt who continue to ignore this will see that tactic works both ways. I will not explain anymore. Starting today,  you will be  billed per question, per email, per request, per demand to be paid in advance. You did nothing for months and years. This is the consequence. 

The extras for every post you got for free are no longer provided. 

DUI suspect James Whitchurch is no longer an EPD officer

Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens sent me a response this morning to my very detailed post yesterday about DUI suspect and former EPD Officer James Whitchurch. 

"John, James Whitchurch is not employed by the City of Eureka."

An arrest, charges and follow up only I have reported on for months. Whitchurch had four minors in the car. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/04/despite-obstacles-and-no-responses-i.html?m=1

If it was not for CHP, certain people would not get arrested in Humboldt. If it was not for me, certain arrests and news would never be published.

Another sidewalk hurt me lawsuit against the City of Eureka, County of Humboldt and AT & T

Another sidewalk hurt me lawsuit. This one on Harrison Avenue. I have walked in that area; others do as well.

On April 10, 2026,  a lawsuit was filed by Elizabeth Lasater against the City of Eureka, County of Humboldt and AT & T.

The complaint filed alleges negligence; also lists personal injury and premises liability.

Lasater is represented by San Francisco Dolan Law Firm. Attorney listed is Ms Alison Baird.

A case management conference is scheduled on 10/9/26.

The paperwork has no information about the plaintiff so at this time, I don't know if Lasater is the registered nurse with an Arcata address.

California State Polytechnic University sues City of Eureka

 

On April 2, 2026, a lawsuit was filed by California StatePolytechnic University vs City of Eureka.

The complaint lists recovery of worker's compensation insurance benefits for "injuries suffered by Robert Doran."

California State Polytechnic University and Doran are represented by Mr. Mark Susson of Newport Beach Susson Law firm. 

A case management conference is scheduled for 9/28/26.

I only know one Robert "Bob" Doran in Humboldt.

It isn't your phone; Verizon has a network disruption is being fixed and if you are not affected, be grateful

Thanks to the Verizon specialist who did his job. Local network disruption in Eureka area since 4:38 p.m. Not sure about the rest of Humboldt. 

If you aren't affected, be grateful. Data, internet, phone; one or more unfortunately not working where I am. ETA to be fixed 4:45 a.m. tomorrow. Hard to work and keep people informed. 

What makes it worse is the congestion caused by people. In rural areas, alternatives are limited.

I had to walk a few blocks to make necessary calls and this post. 

Finally, when I could get some service, this isn't just a local issue. It is nationwide. In CA, the slow, intermittent service which other users also experienced starting yesterday should have been our warning.

City of Eureka is getting as bad as the County of Humboldt with the number of lawsuits that cost taxpayers

 

I was the first to report and regularly cover two of the lawsuits under closed session on the agenda for the April 21 Eureka City Council meeting. I have been adding updates to previous posts for both lawsuits on the blog. There are two more lawsuits against the City the Eureka I will be posting on later today or by tomorrow morning.

"Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation

City of Eureka vs. Zephyr Hospitality LLC, et al.

Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2502596

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)

Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation

Significant exposure to litigation (1 Case)

Pursuant to 54956.9(d) (2) California Government Code

Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation

City of Eureka vs. Fusion Smoke & Glass LP, et al.

Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2500926

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)

Conference with Legal Counsel -Initiation of litigation (1 Case)

Pursuant to paragraph(4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9"

Despite obstacles and no responses, I had details about EPD Officer Whitchurch's arrest months ago before today's complaint

 

I was the one who broke the news of Eureka Police Department James Whitchurch's arrest. 

EPD Chief Brian Stephens was unprofessional and petty to issue a press release instead of responding to me first when I was the one to contact him. Let's see if Chief Stephens acts professionally and responds to my inquiry about Officer Whitchurch's employment status. I sent an email to him and both EPD PIOs.

I followed up and got exclusive details on Officer Whitchurch's arrest on my own. No other media has those. I also have other research I did on court records which are exclusive. I want readers to decide how they feel about Whitchurch being in law enforcement.

Whitchurch was arrested on 12/24/25 by CHP, the report was received, the DA had been  reviewing charges. I checked regularly.  When no charges were filed by 4/9/26 and the DA's office did not respond to my first email, I sent second email to DA on 4/9/26. No response.

Finally charges were filed today with an arraignment date of 7/28/26. One of the reasons for the delay is because misdemeanor DUI cases are often filed by former full time Humboldt Deputy DA Wes Keat who still works for the local DA filing these misdemeanor complaints and he is working remotely. Misdemeanor DUI charges can take months which anyone involved in checking charges on those arrests from local investigators, paralegals and attorneys know. This one only took 5 months, which is surprising.

There are two misdemeanor counts but each count has four special allegations. Blood alcohol level is listed as .10 in the complaint which I won't crop out as I usually do. Two 14 year old male minors and two female minors under 14 years old were in the car. The complaint lists birthdates instead of John Doe and John Doe 1, Jane Doe, Jane Doe 1 which would make it easier to follow.

2:08 p.m.Besides being busy, I waited to add court records later because I am tired of my information being used for free without credit; especially by the other local media.

HCSO arrests Johnathan LaPlante for contempt of court, resisting an executive officer and failure to provide legally required DNA

 

Johnathan Michael LaPlante was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 298.1 failure to provide legally required DNA samples, PC 166 (a)(4) contempt of court by disobeying a valid, written court order, process, or injunction and PC 69 resisting an executive officer.

I recognize the name, just as many of you do. There will be no consequences for this arrest in Humboldt and California so if you want to know what happens, check yourself.

Convicted felon and sex offender Sergio Frias gets probation; finally sentenced on four cases today

 

(2026 booking photo)

After several continuances including sentencing continued from yesterday, convicted felon and sex offender Sergio Frias was finally sentenced on four cases today by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward.

Two years probation. Court minutes included for all four cases. Most of my readers can figure out after reading them, the sentence imposed, execution of sentence suspended and application of custody credits if Frias faced consequences.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor for all cases. Gregory Kreis is Frias' attorney.

These two screenshots are the two last posts with updates until today's hearing. I have done several detailed posts including the plea. All pripr coverage is accessible via yhe search feature for the blog. Links and customized one on one updates are provided to subscribers.