Aug 25, 2026

Arson suspect Stephen Paiment says he is having an adverse reaction to medication being administered

 




Today, arson suspect Stephen Paiment's preliminary hearing was continued by defense to 10/7/26. Paiment says he is having an adverse reaction to medication being administered.

I have been the only one to regularly cover this case for months and to do in person court coverage. Today, I briefly looked inside Courtroom 1. 

Future updates until something significant happens will be added to this post.

Anil Dwivedi's settlement discussions in the original Hillsdale apartment lawsuit will "encompass the contempt issue"

 


I have been the only one regularly covering the four lawsuits against local landlord and candidate for Eureka mayor, Anil Dwivedi.

I have provided the order. Will Dwivedi settle before the election? There is a Case Management Conference on 10/12/26.

With the number of Humboldt criminal and civil cases I cover daily and several defendants with multiple cases as well as other news, I do not have time to provide previous links and most of my readers read me daily and regularly.

When I have time, I may add links or screenshots to recent posts.

If you don't, several paid options are available for customized updates and conveniences such as links or individual questions.

All prior coverage is accessible for free via the search feature on the blog or Google.

Gregory Kreis says he does not have the financial ability to pay his ex wife's attorney costs or sanctions requested

Humboldt Superior Court only has certain documents in e court in the family law case for Gregory Kreis and Brenda Elvine. I do have documents Kreis refers to in the 8/7/26 but as I said in previous coverage, it has some identifying financial information  that I will not post online. What is posted in the public court documents filed by Kreis I have included does not have those specifics.

Once again, one of my articles is included in the filings. Read for yourself the words of local attorney Kelly Walsh and petitioner Gregory Kreis.

Who leads the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office is of public interest, especially if Gregory Kreis is being considered as one of the candidates


After the County response to my initial request to find out who is being considered to head the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office, I consulted with lawyers and submitted a PRA on August 19, 2026 with specifics.



 

Who leads the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office is of public interest, especially if Gregory Kreis is being considered as one of the candidates. 

Matthew Kapono arrested by Fortuna PD for lewd and lascivious on a minor

27 year old Matthew Sonny Kapono was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday for PC 288 (a) lewd or lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14.

Michael Rider arrested by EPD for criminal threats and sexual battery


54 year old Michael Carlisle Rider was arrested by Eureka Police Department last night on a warrant for PC 422 criminal threats and  PC 243.4(a) sexual battery. He posted bond.

This is for the third 2026 case CR2603172 filed 8/12/26 with the two charges he was booked for and the warrant was filed 8/14/26. Rider is scheduled to be arraigned on the recent 2026 case this morning. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson.

He has two previous 2026 cases.

CR2601540 filed 4/17/26 PC 653m (b) annoying telephone calls with intent to annoy and harass, alleged victim Roberta Robin Nolan, which is trailing. EPD is the law enforcement agency.

CR2601474 filed 4/15/26 for PC 646.9 (a) stalking, PC 422 criminal threats and PC wilful disobedience of court order. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson. Preliminary hearing scheduled this morning. EPD is the law enforcement agency. 

Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims is Rider's attorney. Deputy DA Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for all three 2026 cases.

He was remanded today but is going to be released on electronic monitoring.

There were several developments this morning in all three criminal cases. There is also a civil case CV2502845 which was a petition for civil harassment against Rider. A temporary restraining order was granted by Humboldt Commissioner Sarah Kaber on 2/11/2026. 

The petition alleges that Rider sent "pornographic materials with salacious commentary" to property managers and employees of Humboldt Property Management.

That was brought up in court today.

You can read the court documents and court minutes yourself. Future dates are in the court minutes but I have also added them in the post . The civil case is calendared with the criminal cases so I am not adding what was previously scheduled.

CR2603172  OR bail 8/28; preliminary hearing 9/4

There is a 10/20 arraignment date which has not been vacated from the system by the end of the day on 8/25/26.

CR2601540 OR bail on 8/28; pre trial on 9/4.

CR2601474 OR bail on 8/28; preliminary hearing on 9/4.

Aug 24, 2026

Employee of LAX provider arrested for possession of 11 kilos of fentanyl which was Minnesota bound

The U.S  Attorney's Office, Central District of California released details today about the arrest and federal charges against an employee of a LAX service provider for possession of 11 kilograms of fentanyl in a bag men’s bathroom at airport to be transported to Minnesota.

Heather Durand appointed by Newsom finally to fill judge vacancy in Humboldt Superior Court

 


You read it here first.

Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Heather Durand has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom for the vacancy after Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge Joyce Hinrichs retired. I was the only one to reported on her and other potential candidates for months and years.

I  reached out to Humboldt Superior Court CEO Meara Hattan and Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel on 8/25/26 with a question and will be adding any response I receive.

Ms. Hattan responded, "Good morning John- we expect that she will start before January.  We are pleased to have Ms. Durand join the bench."

Judge Neel responded, "Good morning,

We are all very happy and excited to welcome Ms. Durand to our Bench; we rec’d the announcement the same time everyone else did, so we do have some planning to do.

I do anticipate her joining us before January but that’s one of the details we will be working out with Ms. Durand as she wraps up things with her current employer."

From California Governor Gavin Newsom's Press Office:

Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel’s Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.

Fleeing from EPD did not work for Gordon Briggs


There are two Gordon Briggs, one is Jr. EPD press release does not state which but based on the age and the bench warrant issued for Gordon Dale Briggs, Jr in a 2025 and 2026 case on 7/28/26. That is also the only open criminal case. Gordon Briggs, Jr is a convicted felon.

Conflict Counsel declares another conflict before jury trial, Deputy DA Brandon Boozari was correct to object to a continuance, now a new attorney and more delays

 






Jack Nye is another case and in the last week, the second case where Conflict Counsel has declared conflict right before jury trial.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran took under submission a ruling on mental health diversion which I reported in my last update. There is no ruling as of today.

Today, at Readiness Conference, Mr. Joe Judge was appointed by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steward. I was not aware Mr. Judge was taking apointments again. Due to medical issues, several of his cases were assigned. 

After Deputy DA Brandon Boozari objected to a continuance by defense, Nye entered a general time waiver and the request for continuance was granted. Trial settingis on 8/28/26.

Based on covering Mr. Judge and just the pattern of Humboldt Superior Court for a while, there will be endless continuances. 

Nye has picked a new case filed by the DA on 8/19 for possession of meth in jail. 

This isn't the first arrest of convicted felon Javier Akeem Ruiz-Keyes by HCDTF and it is for the same charges

 





I have included some of my coverage of the 2022 case and based on that, why should I believe that this arrest will be handled differently by the Humboldt County DA?

The press release issued by HCDTF is included below.

Deputy DA Ian Harris returned to the office after months today

 

Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris was out of the office for months. He returned to work today. Prior to his leave, cases for drug arrests were handled by him.

Here's hoping that case assignment is handled by him again freeing up his experienced colleagues like Deputy DA Trent Timm for other cases which actually have consequences for public safety.

After 12 plus years, mostly continuances, appeals and minor developments are not a reason for in person coverage and not every Humboldt case is going to get a new post

 




I was the first to report on the Court of Appeals ruling in Daryl Jones case. I did a post on August 19 and August 10. Today, at 1:30 p.m., I doubt anything significant will happen. I have covered this case in details for over a year, the preliminary hearing, the request for mental health diversion in detail and for months. 

After 12 plus years, mostly continuances, appeals and minor developments are not a reason for in person coverage and not every  Humboldt case is going to get a new post. 

Individual customized updates, live or at request and informing my advertisers and contributors first is what is working better for me and those who invest in me financially.

The screenshots are of the two previous August posts. 

Update after hearing: I was correct. Hearing continued by stipulation to 9/21/26. Ms. Joanne Carter present for Jane Doe 1 and 2.

Aug 23, 2026

Utah is an example of how courts should operate

 


This is the Utah courthouse. The inside is clean. I have covered the Tyler Robinson and other cases in Utah court. Cases are called and proceed as scheduled. Continuances are rare and for good cause and they are not multiple and for weeks and months. The jail has inmates ready to appear remotely. Utah court also does pleas and attorneys do sometimes have to talk to clients. All this is handled efficiently on the day and the court hearings conclude on the same day. Prosecutors and defense attorneys have their discussions prior to court.

Alleged victim in John and Tucker Donahue case is Jagdev Singh of Stop and Shop Market

 


I did this post on August 19 about the arrest of John and Tucker Donahue. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/08/john-and-tucker-donahue-booked-into.html?m=1

On 8/20/26, John Donahue Jr was arraigned on one felony count PC 211 for second degree robbery. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran appointed Conflict Counsel for John Donahue, Jr. Bail is $45,000. OR bail is on 8/24; preliminary hearing 8/28.

Tucker Donahue is also charged with PC 211 second degree robbery. Tucket Donahue has an additional felony charge of PC 245 (a) (1) assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm; a bottle and special allegation PC 12022. 7 (a) great bodily injury. The Public Defender's Office was appointed for Tucker Donahue. Bail is $75,000. OR bail is on 8/24; preliminary hearing 8/28.

Alleged victim is Jagdev Singh of Stop and Shop Market.

Deputy DA Frankie Olivares appeared on both cases for arraignment.

8/24/26: OR bail hearing for John Donahue Jr . continued to 8/25.Conflict Counsel has conflict; Joe Judge to be appointed. Preliminary hearinng on 8/28. OR and supervised release denied for Tucker Donahue by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran. Deputy DA Rebecca Buckley-Stein appeared on both cases at arraignment for the People.

8/25/26: Joe Judge appointedfor John Donahue, Jr. Supervised release granted by Judge Killoran.


Aug 22, 2026

Phoenix Police officers arrested, fired today and face felony charges including kidnapping, assault, intimidation and tampering with evidence

 


Phoenix Police Department released this update an hour ago.  

Two former Phoenix Police Department officers, Luis Vasquez Jr. and Antonio Felix, were arrested and fired and today. They face felony charges, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, threatening and intimidating and tampering with evidence. The arrest is  related to an unreported, violent traffic stop of a man and woman in South Phoenix on August 5, 2026.

Former HCSO Lt. Sam Williams ex wife charged with 8 felonies in drug case but not arraigned yet


On Friday, as I was walking, I got a tip that former HCSO Lt .Sam Williams' ex wife was arrested. The problem is that I was not given this tip until months later and I have no way to verify previous jail online reports from months ago without a date. The person who gave me this tip is someone who used to work at the Courthouse and supported Sam Williams during his criminal case and even after his trial. That person told me"Danielle was arrested on drug and felony charges."

That is corroborated by a 2026 case filed by the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office. Why did it take the DA to file charges from 2024 in 2026? Danielle Williams was not arraigned because Humboldt Superior Court Commissioner referred the case to the DA for affadavit. 



That has been happening in quite a few cases.  


On 8/24/26, after this post was published, a declaration for an arrest warrant was filed by law enforcement and a warrant issued on 8/25/26.

Independent investigation in Nylander family dispute concludes derivative action should be dismissed

 





Ray Christie is a majority shareholder in Redwood Meat Company. This is the most recent post I did. Ray Christie told me that he is not ready to make a statement until the business is close to opening. 

Since my last post on the Nylander family lawsuit, a hearing on the motion for summary judgement has been scheduled for 9/11/26.

Mr. Dustin Owens represents represents Redwood Meat Co. filed a request for judicial notice in support of the opposition to plaintiff's motion for summary judgement on 8/21.

Ms. Heather Burke represents John and Ryan Nylander. She filed several documents on 8/21/26. 

In June at the last hearing, Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge granted Ms. Burke's motion for trial priority. Trial assignment on 10/26/26; jury trial on 10/28/26.

Ms. Shelley Addision is representing Marleen Nylander. Ms. Cyndy Day-Wilson represents Stephanie, Rachel and Russel Nylander. 

I have included Mr. Owens 8/21/26 filing. Just that one document will get those of you who prefer cliff notes get caught up on what I have dubbed Humboldt's temu version of Yellowstone.