Fortuna Elementary settles lawsuit with John Doe

 

This is a lawsuit no one else covered. The September 13, 2022 post has updates and court documents until this post and the most recent hearing.

On June 4, 2026, there was a notice of settlement filed in John Doe vs Fortuna Elementary School District, Mat Bigham, Matthew Gibson.

There was obviously no need for trial assignment date on 6/26 and jury trial that was suppised to start on 6/29.

A dismissal hearing is scheduled for 7/13.

"Never have I seen in 30 years of practice this type of histrionics and misinformation be released at press conferences by law enforcement and leaked on the internet regarding an active investigation and this must stop. This is dangerous."

 

I sent this email to Ms. Allison Jackson on Friday and it was before HCSO issued the press release yesterday.

I received Ms. Jackson's response a few minutes ago.

John : As you know I have a history of not engaging with the press about things I consult on. I only do so now because you have asked and someone has to take charge. I had hoped the sheriff would have attempted to bring the tone down about Miranda’s rescue, but that’s not the case.  I had hoped it might happen last week when a second warrant was executed. I am providing consultation to Mr. Miranda and the Rescue.  Mr. Miranda has gone on the record stating every animal that dies or is put down is buried on the property and this has occurred for 30 years.  It is not surprising that the deputies disinterred 30 years of dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and horses.  Nor located thirty years of leashes, collars, or harness for animals.  

HCSO has said it is conducting an investigation as to fraud.  The sheriff and undersheriff have said there is no criminal activity solely based upon the euthanizing of any animal.  The rescue site clearly explains that no animals are euthanized to make space but are euthanized if deemed unadoptable due to dangerous behavior or are terminally ill or in pain. 

Never have I seen in 30 years of practice this type of histrionics and misinformation be released at press conferences by law enforcement and leaked on the internet regarding an active investigation and this must stop.  This is dangerous. Mr. Miranda, his family, his volunteers and even his supporters are getting death threats or threats of violence. It is detrimental to the entire community.  

As the lead law enforcement officer in this county, I call on Sheriff Honsal to do the decent thing and the only legally supportable course of action and: 1) stop the salacious comments at press conferences and the leaks coming from his office; 2) stop giving clearly unconstitutional press conferences or interviews on the Rescue property; and 3) instruct the complainants and their crew to stop interfering with the investigation, for example: by using drones to fly over and video; renting people lifts to see over the hedges to video; trespassing and cutting holes in fences; and spreading blatant disinformation on their numerous anonymous internet accounts.   These vigilantes are now agents of the department.  This can no longer be ignored.

And to all the deputies that I've directly interacted with in this investigation; you have all been highly professional and should be commended.   I wish to end by telling all of you in the department that I have interacted with "thank you." 

Ms. Jackson is not only one of the best lawyers I have known. She cares for animals just as many who support Miranda. She has stood up for the underdog and successfully taken on this County including a case that made national headlines. When this all started, many lawyers were curious if Shannon had an attorney. There was no reason for him to because he has not been charged by any official authority; just maligned with speculation and claims from women whose motivation is listed in the first search warrant and affadavit I have.

I have been a reporter for decades, in college, after college, on and off after before I decided there was a need for independent, watchdog reporting in Humboldt. In all those years, in all the states worked and it was in traditional media; I have never seen the level of incompetence, arrogance, lack of accountability and cowardice I have in Humboldt. 

In Humboldt, I have covered courts and crime, business and politics for 12 years; been involved prior to that in business and politics since I moved here 22 years ago.

Not once has any involved party been allowed to go online, give interviews and that is after charges were filed or had gawkers when law enforcement is conducting an investigation.

Humboldt is not an accepting, liberal utopia and it definitely does not have conservatives with cajones. It is a judgemental, pissy podunk county with most of the people living off inheritances, grants, nepotism or some sort of subsidy who couldn't succeed in building a toilet if they did not have assistance. Mouthy, gossipy basement dwellers with nothing to show or contribute to society who spend all their time online or whining and kvetching behind people's backs. You cost people money, you destroy people's reputations and these threats in the Miranda's Rescue investigation are out of control.

I was not intending to do three posts today on Miranda's Rescue. I am over the constant harassment, threats and not having a moment's peace because of Humboldt drama and selfish people. Sheriff Honsal has not even responded or spoken to me in months. This is how it is in Humboldt.

Certain media outside Humboldt choses to sensationalize and print information without doing any independent verification or thought about how people's physical, emotional and mental safety is being jeopardized by their irresponsible regurgitation and refuses to ask Sheriff William Honsal tough questions. Sheriff Honsal has failed as the chief law enforcement officer to protect certain people, including me. I don't have the second search warrant yet but I assume they took more electronics and any guns from Shannon Miranda as part of their investigation. So how is he going to protect himself and his family if someone shows up at his property? His neighbor has already admitted to trespassing and seems to be obsessed with monitoring Shannon Miranda. Did they take records when they were at Shannon Miranda's last week? He is supposed to do business with what, chalk and blackboard?

This press conference is going to be a waste of time unless Sheriff Honsal stops the photo ops and reminds the pitchfork crowd and certain Shannon supporters to let HCSO do their investigation without interference and to stop inciting.

What is posted below is to anyone who claims to be Shannon's friend, supporter and specifically to one person who told me you would do anything to help him. You have done the opposite. When he needs you; now you have cold feet? There is no difference between the pitchfork crowd or you. Out of control, obsessed and posting on Facebook and keeping this drama going non stop. Shannon will find out who his friends are, who is using him and he already knows who is willing to risk to provide some balance in the one sided "coverage" he has received.

 

Anons, losers, cowards who have doxxed, threatened, harassed and these are only since the Miranda's Rescue investigation

 

This was in my spam folder. I have not shared every threat and harassment I have received. I have reports with HCSO and Eureka Police Department.

Another anon braindead lowlife who cannot sign and too scared to state their name. Anyone who has read my coverage knows I call out local power, including Sheriff William Honsal. I have been doxxed, smeared and my livelihood threatened for doing my job.

Just more local losers spewing hate anonymously. Shit is more credible than their ridiculous claims and opinions. All they have is insults; no facts and no evidence.

Daniel Aberle is a frequent commenter on RHBB and is anti police. I checked his court case and so did the law enforcement agency.

Daniel can live in his delusion. While my haters lurk and stalk online or behind my back like useless, unproductive anon wimps; those who support me are busy working, contributing and we converse like normal people with lives offline. 

Am I concerned for my safety? Daily but never as much as since the Miranda's Rescue investigation.

Shannon, his family, his supporters and others assisting him in any way have been doxxed, threatened and harassed. What has Humboldt Sheriff Wiliam Honsal done?

There is no excuse and justification for the vile homophobic, transphobic, violent threats and this anger except that the corrupt evil being exposed is scared. 

The crickets from the local Sheriff who is supposed to protect all citizens and the silence from Humboldt who have allowed the mob to engage in this behavior is a shame on Humboldt.

If Shannon, I or anyone is harmed, who is culpable?

People can have multiple email addresses. The identity of this joke who emailed me like a coward is irrelevant like the opinion.

Humboldt lives in fear including most local lawyers and law enforcement. The other local and regional media are a joke who have added fuel to speculation.

All of you silently and privately telling me you support me or Shannon, what besides words have you done?

Humboldt's gossipy, anon, angry losers and their stench is worse than the Humboldt low tide. Today, they are going after Shannon, they have gone after me for years and tomorrow, they could be pissed at you. Is that the community you want to live in where a bunch of angry, impotent, jokers run around lawless?

I know lawyers outside Humboldt including those who are experts in media and civil rights. I don't discuss on my blog what I may have reported to  law enforcement or consulted with lawyers.

Does Humboldt Building and Planning want to respond again about Jennifer Raymond?

 

Most people read me daily and regularly and have read all my coverage on the Miranda's Rescue investigation. 

The two screenshots above are relevant to this post. Jennifer Raymond and the pitchfork crowd have consistently brought up Shannon Miranda's permits.

You can go read what Humboldt County Building and Planning Director John Ford responded to me as well as City of Fortuna City Manager Amy Nilsen.

In my email to Mr. Ford and Ms. Nilsen. I did not provide the number on Drake Hill Road in my email to Mr. Ford, this is what I wrote, "I was given a tip that Jennifer Raymond's house on Drake Hill was redtagged by Building and Planning for permit violations. I also inquired about a different tip about another location.

My source provided me an address on Drake Hill Road this time.  

This is the parcel number provided to me 191007. This is the address provided to me 1745 Drake Hill Road, Fortuna, CA 95540. I checked twice with my source about this property being connected to Jennifer Raymond.

The image below according to my source is information from a Humboldt Building and Planning employee "Micah". That handwriting is from the person who called into the Planning Dept and was provided this information off the computer. The only employee by that name is Micah Mathieson. I have called out the pitchfork crowd and the same standards apply to this person. Do you stand by your words? Or quit spreading information. I repeatedly asked if this is accurate a few times.

I am spending an inordinate amount of time correcting misinformation, speculation caused by the pitchfork crowd, uneducated, uninformed Humboldt drama Facebook crowd and other local media regurgitating talking points from the pitchfork crowd and HCSO about Miranda's Rescue. This in addition to the inordinate amount of time spent on Humboldt Superior Court and other news no one else reports. I made an effort and put in time to find out about the Jennifer Raymond's property tip. Humboldt Building and Planning can respond,if they wish, to the above. 

Shane Legendre arrested for forcible rape; Nathaniel Sanderson and Maile Hunt for domestic violence

 

Shane Allen Legendre was arrested by Rio Dell Police Department yesterday for PC 261 (a) (2) forcible rape. He posted bond.

Nathaniel Spey Gee Sanderson and Maile Cheyenne Hunt both arrested by Arcata Police Department at the same time for PC 273.5(a) domestic violence. Hunt posted bond.

My reporting yesterday on fire alarm at the Courthouse verified by court minutes

I believe what Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps said is correct because DA Investigator Martin Morris looked very stressed and I heard one of the bailiffs tell him to go to the Board of Supervisor Chambers to ID the suspect.

Three years later, convicted molestor Sebastion Hockett finally sentenced to prison

 

I covered convicted molestor Sebastion Hockett's case regularly from arrest to conclusion. The four screenshots are not all the posts I have done in three years.

Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor for the case. Public Defender Luke Brownfield is Hockett's attorney.

Today, finally Hockett was sentenced to prison. I have included court minutes.

Human trafficking and tax evasion charges dismissed by DA; Georgi Tonev resolves case

DA dismisses 6 charges against Georgi Tonev which include the human trafficking and tax evasion charges being dismissed. I was in court this morning and this afternoon. There were charges reduced to misdemeanors including the added Count 12. No other media was in court. 

Details from my live coverage will be added later.

Exclusive from Ms. Andrea Sullivan, Tonev's attorney after the hearing. Tonev faced 12 years, now max is 4 years, 4 months in local jail if misdemeanors run concurrent; if misdemeanors are consecutive, then 7 years, 4 months. Tonev could also get probation.

Sentencing is on 8/13.

HCSO perp walked and posted Tonev's photo. It made the headlines which other local media ran but then no follow up on the case or his resolution. After I call them out does not count.

Search my blog for complete coverage on this court case.

HCSO and other County departments experiencing disruption to phone service

HCSO issued this information. Thank you. Did the County pay the phone bill? No one else reporting an outage? Or did guy who pulled fire alarm guy sabotage phones too? No FB post from know it all Rex?

Application for supplemental funding for a gang expert filed by William Warren's attorney rejected on a technicality

 

Tomorrow, setting of preliminary hearing is scheduled in homicide suspect Tselin Lincoln and William Warren's case. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Lincoln's attorney.

There is also a motion to compel scheduled which was previously filed by Warren's attorney, Ms. Rebecca Linkous.

Ms. Linkous filed an ex-parte application for supplemental funding for a gang expert. It was rejected by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum because referenced exhibits weren't attached. I am sure that is his signature.

Ms. Linkous, like everyone and anyone at or associated with Humboldt Superior Court is busy, overworked and exhausted. We will find out tomorrow of she will resubmit the application.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for both cases. 

As readers know, there have been several continuances and twists and tomorrow, will Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward set a preliminary hearing date?

Judge Steward has continued several 8:30 hearings to 1:30 because it has been so busy.

Tomorrow's hearing update will be added to this post.

6/26: Another continuance to July 8. Those who are directly affected by this case were in the courtroom. Mr. Rees said he probided some discovery to Ms. Sullivan last night. Ms. Sullivan confirmed she picked up numerous electronic items. "There are numerous gang enhancements," said Ms. Sullivan. She asked Mr. Rees to address how the DA intends to prove the gang charges. "I don't want to be in the middle of the preliminary hearing and receive information from an officer about gang."

Ms. Linkous agreed and said, "In my motion, I have a specific request for any gang discovery."

All attorneys agreed to a continuance to July 8.

Every continuance, the same issues are being addressed; the July 8 update will be added to this post.

Travis Watson cases continued by DA due to witnesses being unavailable

 

(2016 booking photo)

On 6/25 , murder suspect Travis Watson had two cases on calendar. In CR2601825,  preliminary hearing and OR bail and in CR2500474, a review hearing in his DV case.

Both cases were continued by DA to 7/2 due to witnesses being unavailable. It is a HCSO case, was one of them HCSO "homicide school" detective Julian Aguilera? Maybe if most of HCSO's resources with DA staff having to assist weren't at Mirandas Rescue, court cases and current victims where charges have been filed wouldn't have to wait. You know cases with evidence obtained without Facebook posts where the Sheriff's wife comments and the complaing parties trespass?

As I was headed into the Courthouse a few minutes before 3 p.m. this afternoon, I saw Sheriff William Honsal on his way out on the phone. I would have asked him but I doubt I get an answer. That is only reserved for select media who gives him photo ops.

Convicted molestor and sex offender Michael Conlee sentenced to three years in prison

 

Convicted molestor Michael Conlee Jr's sentencing has been continued 7 times. On 6/25, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced Conlee to three years in prison. He has 510 custody credits. Conlee has to register as a sex offender. Criminal protective order served in court. Judge Cockrum noted that Conlee suffers from a drvelopmental disability.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor on this case. Humboldt Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner is Conlee's attorney.

It isn't official until the paperwork is submitted Jeff

As a former Eureka City Councilmember Jeff Leonard should know it isn't official until he submits paperwork. I check the City of Eureka election page regularly. I also asked City of Eureka Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Pam Powell. "No, I have not received any forms or paperwork for Jeff Leonard."

Courthouse evacuated after someone pulled the fire alarm

15 minutes ago, someone pulled the fire alarm at the Courthouse, the building was evacuated, heard he was caught on camera. Some courtrooms are on break. Others done for the day.

2:58 a.m DA Investigator Martin Morris is on his way to Board of Supervisors where the video is located.  I was told happened inside or right outside the Board of Supervisors Chambers.

6/26: I don't know if this is connected to yesterday's incident.

This morning in court, I heard Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps tell Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims, the fire alarm was pulled by a witness who did not want to testify so I was correct that it was related to the trial in Courtroom 1.

Edward Neagu made a mistake letting go of Ms. Sullivan to hire this LA attorney, he might as well represent himself

 

Alleged molestor Edward Neagu's new attorney scheduled a motion to continue his preliminary hearing. Ms. Andrea Sullivan, Neagu's former attorney was court appointed. A private attorney is appointed when there are conflicts with the Humboldt Public Defender and Conflict Counsel offices.

The court clerk did an excellent job of details in court minutes with the all the key details that happened yesterday. Her court minutes always include relevant and pertinent information and she is one of the busiest clerks.

I am providing more details, live coverage and observations from covering Humboldt Superior Court for 12 years which includes many sex abuse and molestation cases each year.

I obtained the Ramey warrant for Neagu and provided details no one else had reported. 

Ms. Sullivan filed a substitution of attorney on 6/22 and gave Neagu's new attorney, new attorney Glendale based Sarkis Jacob Babachanian the discovery she was provided.

Neagu is going to regret hiring another attorney. Ms. Sullivan does not victim bash like smarmy criminal defense attorneys. She will tell her client the reality, try to resolve a case and if it goes to trial, do the best she can to mitigate her client's bad decision.

Neagu has retained Babachanian. Despite his smarmy, fake politeness in front of Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steward, the negative reviews by people who call him out are accurate. You could barely hear Babachanian. When he headed back to his seat, I wanted to ask him for his business card. I had no idea he was still talking to his client. The case had officially ended in court. My own experience with Babachanian when all I wanted to was ask him for was his business card and my watching him outside court is that he is rude, arrogant and the bad Google reviews are accurate. 

I don't use Mr. for certain local attorneys and Babachanian being from LA does not get him different treatment. Babachanian is not all that compared to the top LA lawyers I know, who respect me, my work and this is both in criminal and civil. Having a LA area address means nothing. Humboldt or LA, if you are good at what you do and making money, you don't act like a jerk and you don't need your client to inform you about changes in the law.

Babachanian claims 30 years of experience and a lawyer fresh out of law school knows the basics he wasted time on yesterday.

First, he addressed additional discovery. That is ongoing, especially in serious cases. Said he made an informal request. Then droned on that he could not be here, it was expensive and while there is sensitive information, if the People could drop it on evidence.com or similar digital evidence management system.

Both Judge Steward and Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm explained why that was not possible, including challenges for staff. Written motion was mentioned. Then Babachanian said he is going to file a 827 petition for victim which is a legal request to access juvenile records. If you read my post on the Ramey warrant, just in the excerpts it shows Neagu sought out vulnerable young victims.

Babachanian said his client told him about a Supreme Court ruling and he wanted to argue bail. Judge steward brought up people being entitled to notice. Ms. Timm said already bail already argued in front of another judge.

Judge Steward agreed and said he found no change in circumstances and that bail can be addressed after preliminary hearing.

Setting of preliminary hearing is scheduled for 7/30. Babachanian was authorized to appear via Zoom but has to be present for the preliminary hearing.

Harmeet to Gav: I will sue you in federal court over CA Glock Ban and Handgun Roster statute

 

Harmeet to Gav: I will sue you in federal court over CA Glock Ban and Handgun Roster statute.

Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice sent  California Governor this letter today citing CA citizen's 2nd amendment rights and what Newsom can do to resolve the matter.

Sarah Carroll has one 2026 case dismissed; the other seems headed in that direction

 

In my May 9 post, I wrote, "Sarah Marie Carroll, Michael Acosta's co-defendant in the 2020 drug case, is back in custody. In 2023, even a jail sentence by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel has not taught Carroll a lesson.

Yesterday, HCSO arrested Carroll. The VC 20001(b)(2) hit and run charge is from her 2023 and PC 1203.2(a) probation violation is a new 2026 charge. It is a misdemeanor and it is Humboldt so I doubt she will see any consequences."

I told you so. 

Today, Carroll CR2601907A was dismissed by Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin. In CR2601906, she signed an informal agreement for 6 months diversion and was ordered to attend 6 meetings of AA or NA. There is a disposition reset on 12/29/26. I am not wasting my time to see what happens in that hearing because the case will resolve or be dismissed. Even if Carroll gets arrested again, it seems she has more lives than a cat.

Deputy DA Alison Herson appeared on both cases for the People. Deputy Public Defender Ehvan Schectman for Carroll.

Ken Bareilles settled his workman's comp lawsuit

 

Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning did not retain jurisdiction as requested by Creditors Adjustment Bureau. The case was dismissed.

I don't need another hearing to know if Ken paid the bill. I will find out just as I do other news and information.

I saw Ken and his wife Linda today and she said she wanted to talk to me. Whether it someone like Ken and Linda who I know before I had the blog or random people who feel entitled to want to speak to me or my time because some  don't understand reporting, journalism or news in Humboldt; that is their problem. 

Others do and I appreciate those who realize that my reporting on their arrest or case or anything news related is my job and they don't hassle me or demand I take my work down or change the way they interact with me. 

Dennis Mayo is one of those people. He knew me when I was more involved in the business and political community. I reported on his DUI arrest. No charges have been filed.

Ken is no different than any other lawyer, suspect or anyone else I write about daily.