**This post is about an arrest by Homeland Security. Some of the language is graphic but it is part of evidence and an official press release**
What is Kyle Zoellner up to these days? According to a February post on Facebook, an instructor for CPR.
I saw Zoellner's name as the plaintiff in a small claims case. The defendant Victoria Barron filed a cross claim. You can read Humboldt Superior Court Commissioner Sarah Kaber's ruling. I have also included both their claims.
While looking up court documents for the 2026 small claims case, I found another small claims case Zoellner filed in 2024 against Door Dash. He ended up dismissing the case before the hearing.
If you are from Humboldt, you are familiar with Zoellner. If you are not, google him or search my blog.
I have included court documents for both cases if you want to read them. Zoellner wasted a lot of court time and resources; for what? Drama and inability to resolve issues like an adult. Many cases in Humboldt Superior Court but especially in civil, small claims and family law are full of drama and a waste of time and caused by the inability of people to act like adults.
Yesterday, Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel issued her ruling in convicted murderer Jon Goldberg's case.
Former Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming is handling special cases for the Humboldt DA's office. Goldberg is one of them. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo is Goldberg's attorney.
Goldberg was originally sentenced 15 years to life for the second degree murder of Tim Smith. Goldberg lost his appeal. His petition for rehearing was denied. His petition for review was denied in the Supreme Court. Goldberg's habeas petition was denied in 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer. The screenshots above are the two most recent posts on Goldberg's 2021 case. All other posts can be accessed via the search feature on the blog for free or you can contact me for more convenient and paid options.
I have included the court minutes and ruling for the lawyers. For those who are not lawyers, I have also included an overview of some of the differences between indeterminate vs determinate sentence. I checked the CDCR information on Goldberg regarding parole.
In my opinion, I dont think it is a win for the DA or defense but worse for Goldberg with a determinate sentence.
I reported on convicted sex offender and felon Andrew Tuttle's plea on 3/26/26. That update and others on Tuttle's 2026 and 2023 case were added to the January 23, 2026 post.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/convicted-sex-offender-and-felon-andrew.html?m=1#more
Today, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward sentenced Tuttle in the 2026 to three years in prison. He already has 180 days custody credits from Humboldt jail. With more custody credits in prison; he will be back on the streets earlier than expected. As previously reported, time on two counts is to be served concurrently. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees appeared on the case for the People. Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis is Tuttle's attorney.
The 2023 case was dismissed by the People. There is a Prohibited Person report scheduled for 5/22. It happens often after a sentence. I have no reason to cover this case.
Two days ago, I was the first to report on Michael Nilsson's arrest.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/04/michael-nilsson-arrested-by-cal-poly.html?m=1
Before the Cal Poly Humboldt press release, I included exclusive information posted that the alleged victim is a current Cal Poly Humboldt student and Nilsson's criminal history and convictions from Humboldt Superior Court as well as an open 2026 case for an Arcata Police Department arrest for petty theft from CVS, public intoxication and resisting an officer.
The Humboldt County District Attorney filed charges today for the Cal Poly Humboldt police arrest. The alleged victim is a male student, Mario Alberto Villasenor l. Nilsson is charged in both cases with being under the influence of toluene.
Nilsson is being arraigned on both cases this afternoon. Attorney info and dates will be added later today.
I have covered former local attorney Callie Buck since 2024. Initially she was respectful, as her own behavior resulted in a downward spiral, a conviction, multiple arrests; as is the case with many in Humboldt; Buck was abusive and engaged in other behaviors towards me instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility.
Buck is ineligible to practice law in California.
On 4/17, due to the power outage arraignment in her 2026 case was continued to 4/30 and 5/1. Same dates in her 2025 and 2024 violation of probation cases.
The charge in the 2026 case is for petty theft from Fortuna Liquors.
I have included screenshots of all my prior posts on Buck with this post for new readers. In the future, you will access all posts via the search feature on the blog.
In my 3/20/26 update on Prince Trucking vs Ray Christie which I added to my April 2025 post, I reported, "Mr. Bareilles was listed as a no show because the case was called twice. While Mr. Bareilles was another courtroom, the case was called twice and he was aware of this hearing and could have told the bailiff or asked the judge to be excused briefly. Other attorneys face the same situation every day with many more cases than the handful Mr. Bareilles has and they manage to make their appearances. Trial setting + OSC for failure to appear by Mr. Bareilles scheduled for 4/20."
I also reported what was happening in other posts before Mr. Bareilles April response since I was covering the Tselin Lincoln and William Warren case in March and besides my observations, checked with the clerk and bailiff.
On 4/14, Mr. Bareilles filed a response taking respinsibility and said he would accept any sanctions. On 4/20/26, Mr. Bareilles requested a continuance to file a substitution of attorney form and Mr. Dustin Owens will be representing Christie. A CMC is scheduled for 6/8/26.
You can read the court minutes from yesterday and Mr. Bareilles response yourself.
On 3/3/26, a dismissal was granted with prejudice in the 2025 lawsuit Brandey Wheeler wrongful termination filed against the City of Eureka.
When I did my last update on the case in January, there was a settlement; then the parties wanted a trial and then there was this dismissal.
Former City of Eureka Deputy attorney Curtis Davis who is now in private practice represented Wheeler. There is nothing in e court since my last update or in the recent filing by Davis about a settlement.
City of Eureka hired Leibert Cassidy and Whitmore.
The 4/17/26 case management hearing was moot.
I spoke with Janssen Malloy's Mr. Frank Martin after the hearing yesterday and he said the order will not be filed until later this week.
I have included court minutes and you can see for yourself the amount of money to be held in a constructive trust by the County of Humboldt.
Most readers follow me daily and regularly. For others, the three previous posts provide court documents, details and context on the lawsuitwhich is about the Humboldt County Tobacco Retailer Licensing Ordinance.
51 year old Steve Alan Lee was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday for PC 273.5(a) domestic violence, PC 261(a)(2) rape of a minor by force or fear of bodily injury, PC 289(a)(1)(a) forcible sexual peneyration with a foreign object, and PC 261.5(c) statutory rape.
He has a 2005 conviction for possession of marijuana and a 2016 conviction in a traffic case.
4/22/26: Lee is on the must go list for today. As of 2:25 p.m. charges were not filed. Attempts to check with the DA's front office staff were unsuccessful.
A Ramey warrant was issued on 4/14/26 for convicted felon James Alexander Spaulding. Yesterday, on 4/20, Spaulding was arrested on that warrant and booked for PC 247(b) shooting at an unoccupied vehicle or dwelling, PC 29800(a)(1) felon in possession of a firearm and four felony violations of PC 594 (b)(1) vandalism.
26 search results come up for Spaulding in Humboldt Superior Court. He has three open family law cases.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court against the City of Poway and Poway City Council alleging CEQA violations involving discovery of ancestral remains and tribal cultural resources.
You didn't see this CAL Matters column reprinted in the local liberal media. Nobig deal. It will get more views from the California Post who regurgitated the CAL Matters article with their spin. If you pay attention; very few media have original content. Those with big bucks are lazy.
"School closures are an incendiary issue in nearly every corner of California, as enrollment declines and expenses climb. The topic has sparked parent revolts, teacher strikes and school boards’ desperate attempts to keep districts financially afloat.
And then there’s Orick.The picturesque town in northern Humboldt County has a historic school with five classrooms, a gym, a vegetable garden and an expansive play field. Its current enrollment: nine. Its expenses: $118,000 per student per year, more than five times the state average." --CAL Matters
While other local media went to the Richard Toledo arraignment as predicted; I made a choice to cover the Preston Ruiz case today which has concluded.
I chose to see if the courtroom would be open for Preston Ruiz' juvenile case. It was this afternoon. There are no court minutes or access to this case so live coverage and being in the courtroom is the only way to get information.
The courtroom was packed to capacity. In addition to the regular courtroom 7 bailiff HCSO Deputy Leslie Borges; HCSO Sgt. Tony Gomes was present.
Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel allowed people to sit in the front row where usually attorneys or law enforcement sit.
It has been a hectic day . Senior Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees who is prosecuting William Warren and Tselin Lincoln was in Courtroom 7 this afternoon until there was a verdict in the trial he has been busy with in Courtroom 5. It is my understanding that he is the lead prosecutor and presented evidence for a previous hearing against Ruiz.
Deputy DA Alison Herson is assisting with this case and today she appeared in court making arguments and reading additional victim impact statements.
Gregory Kreis is Ruiz' attorney. Ruiz was in court in a green t shirt and black pants. A juvenile hall officer was seated in front of me holding cuffs and a belt. Probation, CWS and other juvenile attorneys were in court.
I have the charge, the disposition and details that were mentioned today in court.I am not going to rush this post because those who appreciate and support me will wait. The rest of you have taken live coverage, the amoint of daily content and my hard work for granted. Pay for a subscription because the free ride of 12 years is over.
I made a choice to cover 2 hours of this case while several other cases were going on and still trying to check on cases from Friday continued to Monday. The power outage Friday added to existing delays.
I am sure there be social media posts from the Moon family members and those related to four other survivors who were in that car. If you want what was stated in court, then come back later for more details from Judge Neel and attorney remarks.
There was some misinformation addressed on record in court today.
Ruiz pleaded guilty and admitted to being a member of a criminal organization. He turned himself in, he helped with the investigation. He did not shoot and was not aware that William Warren and Tselin Lincoln had guns. He spoke today. Today, Judge Neel declared Ruiz was a ward of the state, he is going to the New Horizons program , he is leaving Humboldt County, going through mental health and alcohol treatment. He will be confined aka "house arrest" for 1 year 8 months and 19 days.
The DA requested 6 months instead of 4 months as agreed in the disposition at New Horizons and a ban on social media. That was not granted. Judge Neel followed the recommendations by Probation.
There are stay away orders and juvenile restraining orders the Humboldt County DA requested and there was no objection by defense.
Dylan Moon's father, Grandma "Robin", several aunts of the juvenile survivors made victim impact statements.
Fear of retaliation, the word broken was used by many and the impact on the community. The defendants and survivors and families know each other. Some requested anonymity. Others stated their names on record and I recognize those names from my Facebook news page and people who have messaged me.
I want to remind all those affected by this tragedy that I took time to be there today. The other local media made a choice to cover two arraignments. I already reported on the charges in the Richard Toledo and Ashley Pearce-Pifferini case previously so attorney and dates were all I needed to add. Toledo is a misdemeanor case.
The other local media picked a white woman and a white man and to cover arraignment hearings which are no big deal. The other media picked Toledo and his supporters' theatrics over covering the pain of the local Native American community. I chose to cover this hearing despite the rude and abusive behavior towards me by some people involved and who wrote victim impact statements.
Of course, I was there because I pay attention to all cases on calendar and know when it might be possible to cover a juvenile case. Some community members walked out in reaction to the disposition today and some left at the same time I did when the hearing had concluded.
I am no longer providing links to prior coverage for every post. For free, you can use the search feature or subscribe for convenience and benefits.
Cal Poly Humboldt protestor Richard Toledo is here dressed in a black suit with supporters carrying "Free Ricky, drop the charges" cardboard signs. Let's see how that works with Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Joyce Hinrichs.
I was going to add an update to the previous post since I already reported on charges but decided to do a new post based on the theatrics on the second floor.
Trial confirmation on 7/8; jury trial on 7/13.
The screenshots are of previous coverage on Toledo. Mr. Matthew Kellegrew from the Civil Liberties Defense Center in Oregon has been retained by Toledo. Mr. Kellegrew has also been admitted to the California State Bar.