What do slander, PRA, Ramey warrants, being cold in jail, not enough toilet paper and men allegedly watching in jail have in common? A lawsuit; one against HCSO and one against Big Oil Tire

I saw a case on tomorrow's agenda for the Humboldt County Board of Supervisor's meeting. It is under closed session.  

Wanted to do some research before I looked at the court case filed against the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

On Saturday, I did a google search, Kyra Kelly worked at Humboldt County Office of Education. She was arrested in January 2025 for carring a loaded firearm in public and embezzlement. I also found another case Kelly filed against Big Oil and Tire.

Kelly is representing herself pro per. No attorney listed yet in the lawsuit against HCSO. Local attorney Eric Kirk represents Big Oil and Tire.

The two cases are related. There is a case management scheduled in the lawsuit against HCSO on 7/20/26. In the Big Oil lawsuit, there is a demurrer and motion to amend complaint scheduled on 4/17 and a CMC on 7/13/26.

The HCSO lawsuit alleges civil rights violation, violation of constitutional rights, "malicious police negligence and wronful arrest." Another typo is "sladerous"

You should read the complaint yourself. My summary of the claims about PRAs, Ramey warrants and Kelly's allegations of men watching her urinate in jail, not being given enough toilet paper in jail and it being cold while waiting to post bail does not do justice to Kelly's court filing.

The Big Oil lawsuit is for defamation, libel, slander, emotional and employment grievance. Kelly claims she was falsely arrested for felony embezzlement.

Richard Pomrehn's Linkedin profile lists him as Arcata's Big Oil & Tire Company President. Other business sites include other titles of leadership positions.

I did not have the time today to check and see if the DA had filed criminal charges. There was also the issue of access and enough time at the public computers today.

Rex walked in on cue right after my email exchange with Sean Quincey

If you are not a Humboldt reader, just scroll past this one. If you are a Humboldt reader, no explaination necessary.

After my response to Sean, I was chatting with Humboldt County Undersheriff J.D. Braud. Humboldt County First District Supervisor Rex Bohn walked by. J.D respectfully said hello.

Rex, for some reason, too cowardly to address me directly, made one of his flippant remarks. He feels the need to do that everytime I am speaking to anyone at the Courthouse, especially from courts or the County. I find Rex's lame attempts at whatever he thinks he is doing 1% amusing and 99% pathetic.

Congratulations to Cal Poly police Lt. Janelle Jackson and Sgt. Greg Hill

 

Congratulations to Cal Poly police Lt. Janelle Jackson and Sgt. Greg Hill. This photo is from 4/6. I got it today from Janelle today when I saw her at the Courthouse. She does extra help in the courts for HCSO.

Texas man charged for throwing Molotov cocktail at San Francisco residence and attempting to set fire at a business

 

(Photos:  U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California)

A Texas man was charged federally today with attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm after he threw a Molotov cocktail at a San Francisco residence and attempted to set a related business on fire on April 10, 2026.

Community identification helps EPD nab two burglary suspects

Eureka Police Department just issued a press release about two arrests of repeat offenders Michael Aubrey and Derek Aldrich. 

The trend of daily continuances for multiple Humboldt criminal cases continues this week

There are certain stubborn people left who continue to email me, interrupt me while I am trying to work and want information for free. If I even respond, I am asking them to compensate me for my time and the options I have explained many times. It is always someone from Humboldt. No one outside Humboldt takes advantage of me and makes demands.

I have no idea who "jessica" is; I could have printed her email because this is not a tip and as far as I know she is not an alleged victim so there is no confidentiality. Since people lie about me online and behind my back , I am going to post this email exchange. 

8 p.m. Since Jessica has no boundaries,no clue about the law and continues to harass me and send me another email threatening my freedom of speech, this is the email address. Sometimes my readers have information. If "Jessica" continues contact, I will be contacting law enforcement. Call it a hunch.

The trend of daily continuances for multiple Humboldt criminal cases continues this week. Alleged molestor Tristan Mitchell is getting a new attorney and the hearing today where the Public Defender declared a conflict was continued again to Wednesday for appointment of counsel. Depending on who is appointed, there will be a conflict check and most likely a continuance of the 4/17 preliminary hearing. I am not doing three new posts this week for minor updates because unlike other local media, I don't lack original or new content daily. 

Those who read know of the changes being made about posts and minor updates. Mitchell updates will be added to my blog post which I did last week. Several Humboldt cases of interest are scheduled for jury trials today and a sentencing. As I have explained many times now over months, you can check posts such as Sergio Frias, Russell Albers and Logan Brewer-Hearst yourself for free or you can subscribe or contribute for convenience and customized benefits.

I am no longer making multiple trips to the Humboldt courthouse in one day and letting Humboldt Superior Court chaos which does not warrant new posts for every little development dictate my schedule 24/7. New Humboldt posts and other news where my time invested pays is my priority.

Next Tuesday, under closed session, Humboldt Supervisors to discuss purchasing property at Bayshore Mall, Redwood Oil lawsuit only I have reported on

 

On next Tuesday's Humboldt County Board of Supervisor's agenda, there are two items of interest. One purchase of property at Bayshore Mall. The other the Redwood Oil lawsuit only I have reported about so far.

Caleb Rosado arrested again for violent crimes, bench warrant on number of cases and I was right again about a plea deal given to a repeat offender

 

Caleb Andrew Renton Rosado was arrested yesterday by HCSO. Unless you look at the details of the official daily log, you won't know that most of these charges are for a bench warrant for his previous cases. 

 I reported on Rosado previously in 2024 and 2022, the number of his cases and questioned his plea deal. There are court documents and his criminal history in my previous coverage.

The 2026 arrest is for PC 422 criminal threats, PC 236 false imprisonment and PC 273.5(a) domestic violence.

In 2018, former Humboldt Deputy DAs told former DA Maggie Fleming that HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes should be removed as a witness, expressed concern about Mendes credibility and suggested dismissing felony counts

 

These screenshots don't even cover all my reporting on Ray Christie's 2018 case and what was not reported by anyone else.

I have been the only one regularly reporting on rancher Ray Christie's federal lawsuit against County of Humboldt, former HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes, former Humboldt Deputy DA Adrian Kamada, Sheriff Honsal. I have had many exclusives regarding this lawsuit and reporting information first. 

Those of you who read me regularly know that my extensive coverage of Christie's 2018 criminal case contained information no one else reported. Christie's lawyer, Mr. Rick Richmond, partner at LA's Larson LLP,  has commended my balanced reporting and in court documents a few times. The 2018 case resulted in a plea which only reported by me. And for years ignored by local media and still not covered by all who chose to report on Christie's arrest.  

When you read this post, keep in mind what I have consistently reported in real time about former Deputy DA, now Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada. I was the only one to report on Kamada's abrupt exit from the Humboldt County DA's office. Remember what I said about why Christie got a plea deal. One that was negotiated quietly during a supposed intervention when media and public are not allowed in; I had attended every hearing.

I have called out former HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes during the 2018 case and after the plea. He now works at CALFire but still moonlights when HCSO needs him as a bailiff.

Mendes was removed as livestock deputy. He is no longer at HCSO except as extra help for Humboldt Superior Court as a bailiff when needed. His daddy Alan used to work for HCSO and is now is with Ferndale Police. 

In 2019, I reported on three Humboldt Deputy DAs leaving the office. Former Deputy Joel Buckingham who is mentioned in the court documents I have included in this post.

I have the opposition filed by Mr. Richmond to the County's opposition to dismiss the First Amended Complaint, his declaration and exhibits. Mr. Richmond's declaration is well written and the exhibits are straightforward.

As I previously reported, the County gets to respond. Who will write that response? Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Joel Campbell-Blair or Deputy County Counsel Destinee Valeska?

I have included court documents in previous posts. For this post, I am focusing on new information and have included most of the court documents. I may add more later but no more freebies for other local media who don't give credit only to me for original reporting but use my work to follow up.

I doubt other local media will follow up and if they do, let's see if they regurgitate the County spin. I doubt they will give Christie any fair coverage because they have shown repeatedly, they don't have the guts to call out HCSO and the Humboldt County DA or anyone in power. 

When the DA made a plea deal in Christie's 2018 case, what may have come out at retrial? If the County's motion to dismiss is denied; will the County initiate settlement talks or risk more information coming out as the lawsuit proceeds? 

I have linked previous coverage on the lawsuit a few times now including with this post so all readers should be familiar with what has happened from the filing of the lawsuit until now.

CA Senator Mike McGuire is the keynote speaker for GRTA ribbon cutting in Ukiah this Sunday

(Senator McGuire)

On Sunday, April 26th, 2026 Ukiah community members will gather to celebrate the grand opening of their fourth segment of the Great Redwood Trail, the country’s largest rail-trail project. When complete, the Great Redwood Trail will span San Francisco Bay to Humboldt Bay and beyond, offering non-motorized commuter and tourist experiences through some of Northern California’s most beautiful landscapes.

18 year old Chick-fil-A worker returns nearly $10,000 in cash to owner

 

Glad to see national outlets who were slow to pick up this positive news article give credit to WITN. Detailed, original reporting by a TV station and refreshing to see coverage about faith and a young man who is a role model.

Alleged sex trafficker Darin Ward is on his 5th attorney, three the taxpayers are footing the bill for, in addition to his three hots and a cot

 

Alleged sex trafficker has been through two private attorneys, the Public Defender had a conflict, then Conflict Counsel had a conflict so now he has a fifth court appointed private attorney.

Today, Ms. Andrea Sullivan was appointed. Trial setting was continued to 4/28. This is a 2024 case and Ward has been sitting in jail. Has his arrogance been tempered and is he ready to take responsibility and beg the DA for a plea? I don't think he deserves Ms. Sullivan so he better listen to her because he has wasted enough of everyone's time.

The March 2, 2026 post is the last post I did with updates. The other two posts are about his lengthy preliminary hearing I covered. For free, you can search all the prior coverage I did on Ward or you can subscribe, donate and advertise for links, other conveniences and benefits.

Another repeat offender, failed mental health diversion, keeps racking up arrests

 

I have covered Daniel Epperson for years. He is another failure in Humboldt of someone who should have never been granted mental health diversion.

On 4/9, in addition to his 2025, 2024 and 2023 cases which are on for various different hearings, the Humboldt County District Attorney filed a new case on 3/30/26 for knowingly violating protective order which was mentioned at the last hearing. The complaint has no details other than that this allegedly occurred "on or about March 3, 2026."

CA DOJ secures 36 year state prison sentence in Kings County molestation case

 

California Department of Justice took over a molestation case after the Kings County District Attorney’s Office was recused. Eugene Anthony Souza was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 36 years in state prison after a judge found him guilty of all charges following a bench trial. Souza's victim was a family member who he abused on an almost weekly basis starting when she was 8 and continuing until she was 11. 

California District Attorneys Association supports bill to amend CA's Elderly Parole program

The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) issued a press release stating  support for AB 2727, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen’s Bill to amend California’s Elderly Parole program by limiting the eligibility of violent sex offenders who can be released.

"To be clear — CDAA believes it is never appropriate for serial sex offenders or child predators to be eligible for elder parole; however, this bill, as amended, significantly improves public safety and protects our most vulnerable victims.   "

“These are significant improvements to existing law and will strengthen public safety in California.”

Robert Slavens arrested by HCSO for kidnapping and probation violation

 

Robert Willis Slavens was arrested yesterday by HCSO for PC 207 (a) kidnapping and PC 1203.2(a)(5) probation violation.

Most of you do use Google and the internet so you can look up information on Slavens. No need for me spend and waste time on another California repeat offender and providing that convenience for free which has been taken for granted.

HCSO issued a press release at 9:05 a.m. which has more details. 

Will Deputy DA Matt Dobie's winning streak continue with a verdict in his third trial?

 

Former Humboldt Superior Court Clerk Matt Dobie now Humboldt Deputy DA has won both of his jury trials and he has been an attorney for less than a year.

The hearing in Tyus Francis' family law case regarding restraining order is lengthy; already scheduled for Day 3

 

The Humboldt County DA has yet to file any criminal charges for Francis' February 2026 arrest. He posted bond so they have time to review the report and make a decision.

In Francis' family law case, there is a temporary restraining order. A hearing to request that TRO be permanent  and a move away order started on 4/6 before Humboldt Commissioner Sarah Kaber, continued to 4/7, and was continued again to 4/21. 

Tyus Francis is represented by Dawn Watkins in his family law case. Watkins was admitted to the California bar on 8/22/2025. She has been an attorney for less than a year and was with Eddie Schrock's law but now works with Kelly Walsh. A bit of added context for Humboldt readers. Kelly Walsh represents Gregory Kreis in his family law case. 

The way Watkins walks around the Courthouse, you would think she is some well known attorney for decades. She has the attitude but nothing else to back it up. 

I was covering another case in Courtroom 2 when I first saw Watkins who kept glaring at me. I had no clue who she was nor did I give a hoot. She tried to tell HCSO Deputy Max Soeth who was the bailiff that day that, "I am a family court attorney." Max in his chill style just calmly told her that court wasn't open. Secure, competent and top attorneys don't strut around the hallways. They make money and their confidence, decorum and silence speaks for their success.

Moriah Francis is represented by Joan Gallegos. Ms. Gallegos is one of the top family law attorneys in Humboldt. She doesn't need to make an entrance or demand attention; her record is sufficient.

I have included court minutes from 4/6 and 4/7. The post I did on 2/14 has more details to put the evidence and photos in context. Many people read the two previous posts; you already know what I think of Tyus Francis. 

If you didn't you can find them via the screenshots on Google or via the search feature on the blog.