Alleged molestor Edward Neagu charged with 7 felonies and one misdemeanor. The complaint only lists one victim, John Doe.
Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is appearing on the case at arraignment.
At arraignment this afternoon, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran kept the no bail custody status that I previously reported. Public Defender's office appointed. Preliminary hearing on 6/2.
Max Sebastian Petras was arrested by Arcata Police Department yesterday on a Ramey warrant for PC 646.9(a) stalking.
10 searches in Humboldt Superior Court incliding two family cases, one collections case, one 2026 case with two drug charges and five counts of violating a protective order. That 2026 case merges two other 2026 and one 2025 case. There is a Ramey warrant filed in the open 2026 case in February 2026.
Conviction in 2018 and 2007 traffic cases. A 2006 dismissal in a drug case.
Dylan Olivas is another repeat offender I covered since 2022. Screenshots are of my posts on his 2025 drug case.
Yesterday, Olivas' case was on for OR bail and trial setting. Trial confirmation is on 7/7; jury trial on 7/13.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees requested Olivas be remanded into custody yesterday; that request was granted by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran. Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis is Olivas' attorney. Olivas is authorized to be released to Conflict Counsel social worker Danette Kellerman or representative for direct transport to treatment program. Olivas ordered to stay and complete program.
I covered convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's three jury trials, the verdicts and I covered his case since his arrest. Humboldt County Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm came through for the victims and the People every time. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo and Steve Boudreaux dragged the inevitable for years. If you want complete and exclusive details, search my blog. After the verdicts, the jurors follow my blog. Ms. Timm is in trial, the defense could have another delay. Sentencing is scheduled tomorrow and if it does proceed, I will add minutes to today's post. Here is Boudreaux's booking photo which I put effort into obtaining years ago.
5/20/26: Steve Boudreaux sentenced to 125 years to life by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum.
I agree with Senior Deputy District Attorney who said "two little girls showed more courage coming to court" than" Boudreaux who is not remorseful. Even after being convicted twice, he chose to take this case for trial the third time.
Ms. Timm called Boudreaux a coward in court.
I will add court minutes later. No other media was in court.
I have more interest in the results of this secret ballot than any race in California on June 2, 2026.
Shout out to EPD Police Operations Analyst Rachel Sollom for getting out information to media right away and including the recording. Photos on the scene from EPD.
I gave Jody Honsal, the benefit of doubt once.
Now, another comment on the Miranda's Rescue investigation by Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal's wife. If she wants to keep commenting on an investigation her husband's agency is overseeing, it isn't just inappropriate; it is arrogant. Jody Honsal is making a case for those who want the Civilian Oversight Board for HCSO. I am not in favor of a politically motivated committee of people who have no clue about what law enforcement goes through but I do have concerns about how HCSO administration handles complaints and discipline. I have had my own experience with a complaint I had to file against an extra help court bailiff about two incidents in front of another reporter and an attorney on the second floor. This ingrate is someone I defended in the past when he was with another agency. I tried to handle the situation informally by speaking first with Sheriff Honsal and Humboldt County CAO Elishia Hayes. Despite filing a formal complaint, video from the courts, all he got was a talking to and to stay away from me. Majority of HCSO are decent. When an agency does not deal with bad apples; that is what leads to requests for oversight, complaints and lawsuits filed against HCSO and the County.
Like every other power and authority in Humboldt; potential conflicts of interest and actual conflicts of interest are never mentioned.
There needs to be a mechanism in Humboldt County for more than just HCSO and that option has to be people not beholden and independent of the Humboldt County cabal.
I am very disappointed in Bryan Hall's comment. I have zero interest in what Bryan thinks on any topic anymore and I hope he is never on a jury.
Dani Payne has the only sane and objective comment in that screenshot.
As I said before, I am waiting for HCSO's investigation and to see if any charges are filed.
Unlike the Times Standard, Lost Coast Outpost and Redheaded Blackbelt, I am not interested in speculation, years of the same old allegations rehashed by a group of people and women who are dragging their personal issues with Shannon Miranda into what should be an objective law enforcement investigation.
Certain Humboldt "media" giving a platform to protestors and biased parties who can say anything they want without legal repercussions in an ongoing investigation is irresponsible. This is why many in Humboldt are confused about what is considered news because they are used to be given a pulpit and 15 seconds of fame for online and coffee klatch gossip.
There are those in Humboldt County who like gossip, speculation and drama. As I told the person who sent me the tip, I am not going to react every time Jenna Moore comments or anyone else in this drama. I am including one screenshot about Jenna Moore because it is relevant to the previous post.
How does Jenna Moore know that HCSO seems to think there is "no crime?" There has been nothing released to the media or public. I have heard whisperings about the investigation. Do you see me posting about "talk"?
If Jenna Moore is so confident about her evidence, she can put it in an official court document, swear under oath, under penalty of perjury.
A Times Standard article is not an official law enforcement document and it is not a court document. Times Standard interviewed Oakland Animal Services. Maybe the TS "reporter" should have used google before quoting allegations from an agency involved in a lawsuit which includes allegations of animal abuse.
If any of the drama queens understood how evidence or the court process works; the first thing they would do is be quiet instead of allowing their words to be documented. In this country, there is a court process. Innocent until proven guilty,; not guilty because of a bunch of gossips screech loudly on social media.
Justice does not always work perfectly, especially in a small rural, petty County. Unlike the online, unmoderated smears and speculation; in court your "evidence" is vetted by legal standards.
Jenna Moore and everyone continuing this drama on both sides may have all day to be drained and consumed by their reality show. The rest of us have bills to pay. I have actual news to cover. Whether you are pro or anti Shamnon Miranda; either wait for something official or feel free to contact another local "media" outlet.
Domestic violence suspect Gregory Moon held to answer as charged after his preliminary hearing by Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson. Moon's no bail custodial status remains unchanged.
Arraignment on information is on 6/2.
Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor. People's witnesses included Jane Doe and Blue Lake Tribal Officer Raven Moon. Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims is Moon's attorney.
My previous post has arrest, charges and updates until today's hearing.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/05/gregory-moon-arrested-yesterday-for.html?m=1
Kash Patel's tweet leaves out key detail that California's Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong aka "Anika" agreed to plead guilty to paying another person to register to vote.
I have included the press release from the Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs.
I always recognize a few jurors but today individual jurors were being questioned and I saw two potential jurors who are familiar to anyone at the Courthouse or who pays attention to local politics.
As much as I would like to tell you who they are; they have not been excused and still could be picked as jurors for this trial.
Individual jurors will be questioned tomorrow. Jury selection for all jurors will probably start on 5/20.
This is the last time I will provide links to previous coverage.
Dates were scheduled today in alleged molestor Feliciano Emiliano Valentin's case. Readiness Conference is on 7/13; jury trial on 8/10.
I reported on Valentin's arrest last January.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/01/felliciano-valentin-arrested-for-sexual.html?m=1#more
Charges, People's offer to resolve the case before preliminary hearing and all minor updates such as 11 continuances were added to that post.
Just used the Eureka Police Department online form for reporting. Easy to use, got instant confirmation and I did not have to bother the very busy EPD dispatchers.
San Jose's David Alvarez sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
Eureka Police Department just issued this press release on today's arrest of alleged molestor 48-year-old Edward Neagu. I checked and he was booked on no bail custody status. EPD did not list a middle name, the jail does not have one but a Facebook search shows only one Edward Michael Neagu. Most of you know where to find booking photos which media is not allowed to post until there is a conviction. You can compare it to Neagu's Facebook AI joke of a photo.
Neagu has four traffic cases in Humboldt Superior Court. Three convictions and one dismissal after proof of correction.
I have been the only one to report on the Redwood Oil lawsuit against the County of Humboldt. There is a lot happening and a lot of documents. Due to late entries in ecourt, the ineffective Humboldt Superior Court search which does not displays result and a very busy schedule; I finally found a related case.
Usually, I add all the court documents but for this post, I am only adding some relevant ones.
The major news is that the County of Humboldt disqualified Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning.
County of Humboldt has an ego problem. The County of Humboldt definitely doesn't like when the County of Humboldt doesn't get to control someone. The County of Humboldt doubles down instead of admitting the County of Humboldt is wrong. The County of Humboldt is not a good steward of taxpayer money.
Janssen Malloy's Jeff Slack represents Redwood Oil. He filed an opposition to the disqualification. That hearing is scheduled this afternoon and requests that the disqualification be vacated or limited. Janssen Malloy, once again, is showing that this is a local law firm willing to use the law and take on the good ole Humboldt boys and gals.
There is an ex-parte hearing in the lawsuit I already covered on Redwood Oil and a TRO was granted.
Humboldt County Counsel is handling both Redwood Oil cases. To clarify, it was Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore, the out of County law firm, that threatened me over my coverage of the County of Humboldt's actions against Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell.
The same people in Humboldt running unopposed year after year. Whose fault is that? Not mine. I speak up. I don't vote for ineffective leadership.
It is mostly the fault of every other good ole Humboldt boy and gal with money who stay silent and enable injustice and retaliation against decent individuals with integrity. The same Humboldt good ole boys and gals who will not fund my independent reporting because they know they don't control me. I don't do selective reporting. And, I will not stroke their egos, do PR and pretend that it is "news."
Humboldt County CAO Elishia Hayes can glare at me all she wants; First District Supervisor Rex Bohn can make his immature digs everytime I see him. It does not change the fact the County is being sued by Redwood Oil and AllPoints and has been sued by Mercer Fraser. All these people suing the County of Humboldt are good ole boys and gals themselves.
The County of Humboldt, all the local Humboldt bullies and the local good ole "bigshots" are affecting other people with money and their livelihood. Theose people have resources to sue.
All this money the County of Humboldt wastes on lawsuits. There are several they could avoid and use that money to fund more law enforcement and DA positions, fix roads, buy hand soap that does not burn your hands and cause fissures and the County can hire an extra janitor so one guy does not have to clean five floors, all the County offices, bathrooms and the jail.
2:15 p.m. Mr. Slack and Janssen Malloy's Mr. Martin just left Courtroom 4. From the look on their faces and the smile, stay tuned. There were other attorneys in the courtroom who heard the argument.
I am waiting on court minutes from today.
Last week, Orange County Superior Court announced the e filing for which would allow to file certain documents in criminal cases. California Superior Courts compared to other states all have different levels of access and their own rules. California should be more efficient with technology.
I cover Utah courts. Their online remote access is flawless. Media has their own account for notification and it is not Facebook but X. Utah court filings are online and accessible to media as soon as they are e filed. When you cover a court hearing, you have the same information as the judge, prosecutor and defense attorney.
Utah judges often set their own court dates, even in high profile cases such as the Tyler Robinson case. Attorneys get options right in court even during a livestream with the nation watching.
I cover other jurisdictions. California Superior Courts are the most cumbersome and least user friendly.
No one who wants to get out live information and fast uses Facebook which is mostly drama and the search feature is cumbersome. Most regional and national media use X. I use and prefer X but for Humboldt news, I use Facebook because that is what local readers prefer. I wou
Every other city and state law enforcement uses X. Humboldt law enforcement are stuck on Facebook except HCSO.
I have done many posts on Humboldt Superior Court going online, the likelihood and at this point, the attorneys and anyone like me who is at the Humboldt Courthouse daily happens.
We know Humboldt courts are short staffed. E filing and more e options would free up the clerks, maybe expand the I street hours and allow attorneys flexibility. Out of area attorneys would not have to wait for documents to be sent online. Humboldt could easily allow certain filings in criminal cases such as motions to continue, substitution of attorney, disqualifications to be e filed. Civil case cover sheets could be e filed. E filing one, two or even four pages is doable.
I have noticed Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel look up e court to see what has been filed and this is whether she is covering civil, criminal or family. Judge Neel is very organized and does her best to streamline court cases. In Humboldt courts, a judge has to corral parties because it is like the Wild West every day.
30 year old Elizabeth Claire Tsarnas was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday and booked for PC 240 assault and PC 242 battery. She was released on O.R.
I contacted Fortuna PD on 5/18.
Locals know Elizabeth Tsarnas is Faith Tsarnas' sister. In 2021, I reported on Jeff Tsarnas 201 case where he fled from the secene and was found guilty by a jury of hit and run causing serious, permanent injury. Readers who followed me from the beginning are aware of my extensive coverage of the Marci Kitchen case which resulted in me being contacted by national media.
Elizabeth Tsarnas has a prior conviction in a 2024 CHP case for two misdemeanor DUI counts and special allegation with blood alcohol extremely high .15 percent or more and that is almost twice above the legal limit. She entered a plea on 9/10/24 before Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Former Deputy DA Stuart Williams was the prosecutor. Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton represented her. One DUI count dismissed as part of plea.
On 5/15/26, in the afternoon, Daniel Epperson preliminary hearing in his 2025 case proceeded as scheduled.
Epperson looks nothing like his previous booking photo. He is skinnier, with long hair to his shoulders and less on his face.
He looked at me in court, saw me outside court but said nothing. I was busy and not around him except for a few seconds.
I was the only one in the courtroom besides the court bailiff, court staff, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward, Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian and Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson.
Epperson is out of custody and was dressed in a black suit. Epperson is charged in his 2025 case with Count 1 PC 69; alleged victims Matthew Pecsok and Efrain Sanchez. Count 2 PC 243 (b) battery on a peace officer; alleged victim Pecsok.
After testimony from Arcata Police Department and videos, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward cited CALCRIM code 2645 and 945 and held Epperson to answer on both charged. Judge Steward denied defense 17 (b) motion to reduce Count 1 to a misdemeanor.
"While Mr. Epperson has limited criminal history, he was on probation for a DUI at the time of this offense and he may have been under the influence," said Judge Steward. "He was on probation and is supposed to obey the law."
"Ms. Watson referred to the charges for which he is on pre trial mental health diversion as a hate crime. Now, Mr. Epperson has a case of resisting an officer. The number of cases Mr. Epperson has in front of the Court, I am going to deny the 17 (b) motion."
Arraignment on information is May 29.
His 2026 case and 2024 cases are trailing. His violation of probation in his 2023 case is trailing. This information and the 2025 preliminary hearing being held on Friday was reported in my previous post. Links have been provided to all previous coverage and include charges for all his cases.
I have covered Epperson regularly for years since he was arrested in 2024. I have provided links to previous coverage for new readers. Epperson was granted mental health diversion in the 2024 case and the alleged victims in that case are are Lee Ulansey and Joshua Ulansey. I was the first one to report that relevant fact. Until I did and even after I did; only some other local media did brief one time coverage on that case.
Ms. Watson did not request remand. She should have. A regular reader alerted me to Epperson's Facebook account. His friends include Brian Mitchell and Luna. Only I covered Mitchell's arrests and criminal cases and only I have covered Luna's arrest.
