I have done three posts on Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Draper who has had formal charges filed against him by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.
I have included the notice of hearing which is scheduled for April 27 and open to the public as well as the CJP press release with more details.
Saw this on Broadway about 5 minutes ago, blinkers on. As I passed him about three minutes ago, apparently it was a stop for the guy to get tacos and run back through busy traffic on Broadway. For anyone who think this may not be news, you are probably the same person to blame the homeless or pedestrians instead of moron drivers. People like this waste law enforcement time and resources and shouldn't have driver's licenses.
Repeat offender Brittany Johnson had two cases on for sentencing on 4/3/26. I checked on CR2502721 out of curiosity. I am too busy to look at CR2403521B especially with several casesnow being continued multiple times a week and consecutively for days. There are hundreds of repeat offenders in Humboldt; and many who get repeated for misdemeanors.
Johnson was sentenced by Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel in CR2502721 to 18 months probation, 205 days in jail which were covered by custody and conduct credits.
Her mother addressed the court. Judge Neel made a finding that Johnson is indigent so certain fines were not imposed. Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm appeared on the case for the People. Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian is Johnson's attorney.
42 year old Tristan Mitchell was arrested yesterday by HCSO on a Ramey warrant for four counts of PC 288 (a) lewd or lascivious act with a minor, two counts PC 287 (c) (1) oral copulation with a minor and two counts PC 289 (a) (1) (a) forcible sexual penetration using a foreign object. Mitchell was booked on no bail.
I always check the daily Humboldt jail report directly because I want to accurately list all the charges and complete number of booking charges.
The Facebook profile has one old photo and until I can confirm that this is the same person, that information and the google search I did will not be included. If it turns out that the FB profile is the same Mitchell arrested then once again, the children of Humboldt and the alleged victims in this case were let down by multiple agencies and Mitchell's employers.
Why wasn't there a press release about this arrest? EPD and HCSO send out press releases on theft, drug and firearm arrests which are a dime a dozen daily in Humboldt but the most prevalent and serious crime and arrests in Humboldt get bupkus. Everyone is busy. It is a matter of priorities.
Today, Johnnie David Acosta was sentenced by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel to 180 days in jail with credit for 17 days; three years felony probation + $1,000 contribution to Women's Shelter Fund. Acosta pleaded guilty to PC273.5 (a) domestic violence.
Court minutes listed 4/4/26 commit to jail, then 4/3/26 by 5 p.m.typed minutes have more clarification on why two different dates. Acosta was booked into the jail this evening.
At 9:51 a.m , I was walking towards the corner of 6th and E, local attorney Ken Bareilles was peeling out of the parking lot where his office is located. The truck he was driving hit a car. It was only after a passerby gasped that Ken asked him, "Did I hit a person or a car?" Then Ken went into the salon next to his office after he looked at the car.
This post is has news of interest for the regular Humboldt court readers. Humboldt Superior Court Judge April Van Dyke is calling the apellate calendar today. Deputy DA Victoria Reierstad has only been here a few months and I overheard her telling Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims, her last day is the 27th. Whether that has to do with the small claims case I recently wrote about or not, I will never find out officially because DA Stacey Eads and HR won't comment on personnel matters.
On 4/3/26, there is an exparte hearing in a 2026 lawsuit filed by Redwood Oil Company against Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Environmental Health.
Redwood Oil is represented by Jannsen Malloy's Jeffrey Slack.
Keywords for those who don't want to look at court documents. Humboldt County Tobacco Retailer Licensing Ordinance.
Wonder how Poppa Rex feels about this lawsuit? For readers who are not local, that is Humboldt County First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and why I mentioned him is not worth your time. For locals who constantly defend Rex and need a reminder who he defends and then they sue the County anyway, these are just three posts. Why doesn't Rex just resign and get hired as a consultant, lobbyist for the good ole boys he defends from the podium. These lawsuits cost taxpayers; not Rex. Poppa makes a living being paid by the taxpayers. He should be watching out for their interests.
No other media covered the Tyler Colegrove case regularly. I did. With exclusives HCSO did not tell you. No other media did. HCSO still has not responded to my March 19 inquiry when I reported about a gun found out Dawn Colegrove's house and I reported where. Colegrove's preliminary hearing was continued to tomorrow by defense due to additional discovery but it is also the 10th day. Once again, I have no idea if the preliminary hearing will proceed or Colegrove will waive time or be released. I am not spending hours waiting around in court anymore to see maybe; maybe not when I have other cases and news to cover. If the preliminary hearing proceeds, just like the Georgi Tonev and Ashley PearcePifferini case, I will include court minutes and outcome. For 12 years and still going, I cover courts like no one else. I also do regional and national coverage. I don't get paid for the time I put in at the Courthouse. The courts chose to take Tuesday as a holiday at a time when the schedule is already jam packed. I am not going to put aside my priorities or stress for these last minute changes caused by courts, attorneys and law enforcement who just push the pile further each day. They get paid by the hour. I don't.
4/3/26: Preliminary hearing continued by defense to 5/5.
On 4/1, in a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe vs Humboldt Sawmill Company, Humboldt Redwood Company, Mendocino Forest Products Mendocino Redwood, Allweather Wood, Larry Rodriguez et al, there was an ex-parte hearing on a motion filed by Jane Doe's attorney Ms. Heidi Wells to seal the original complaint.
The motion was granted by Humboldt Superior Court Commissioner Sarah Kaber. The reason for the request was because of an error in the original complaint where Jane Doe's identity was referenced. If it was, I did not see it.
Commissioner Kaber granted the sealing of the original complaint because Jane Doe's identity was referenced. The pages I had of the original complaint did not list any name except plaintiff Jane Doe but I still did not include any of those pages. The case was on calendar and the parties are known and the allegations of the lawsuit have nothing to do with Jane Doe's identity.
This google search listing that identifies the employee by job title in this case that anyone can look up.
Defendants were not present yesterday but it is an ex-parte hearing. According to Ms. Wells, they haven't responded to original or first amended complaint.
The lawsuit alleges violation of the fair housing act, sexual battery and battery. Jane Doe is a former employee of Humboldt Saw Mill.
Fortunately, the civil case cover sheet filed January 23 only lists Jane Doe. I did not see the First Amended Complaint in e court.
A case management conference is scheduled for 7/20/26.
I did this post in July 2025 about this arrest. This is the same Larry Rodriguez.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/07/larry-rodriguez-booked-into-jail-on.html?m=1
The original complaint in this lawsuit has been sealed and is not included in the post on the blog. Other court documents and information about the lawsuit which is public record is included. I just saw the court minutes about as I was doing the post and sent my post to Jane Doe's attorney.
On February 20, I did this post. It has court documents.
Local attorney Elan Firpo has hired William A. Munoz and Bill Munoz of Freeman, Mathis, Gary LLP which is Roseville law firm. A demurrer was filed to the complaint.
Cassie Brown is represented by Oakland attorney Michael R. Huff Oakland who has filed an opposition to the demurrer.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/local-attorney-elan-firpo-sued-for.html?m=1
I added an update on 3/9/26 that the demurrer and case management was continued to 3/30/26.
On 3/30/26, Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning sustained the demurrer to the first cause of malpractice and sustained demurrer the to third cause of fiduciary duty,; both without leave to amend The demurrer was overruled as to second cause of action; breach of contract.
A 4/24/26 hearing on Order to show cause for failure to appear by Firpo's attorney is still on for 4/24/26.
EPD Officer Jayme Clark just now doing a check in the parking lot on this car between Courthouse Market and AA Bar Grill.
After several continuances, Ashley Pearce-Pifferini's preliminary hearing is finally proceeding this afternoon.
Pearce-Pifferini is charged with PC 187 (a) murder of and PC 273 ab(a) assault on a child causing death. Victim in both counts is Phoenix Asti.
It has been assigned to Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran who is in Courtroom 7 today. The pathologist is one of the witnesses today and it is a two day preliminary hearing. I covered every hearing on this case as well when no other media was there. LOCO is here today, once again, covering a random hearing. I will post court minutes and the outcome.
My January 22, 2025 has updates upto the 3/30/26 hearing when this preliminary hearing was confirmed.
Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo is Pearce-Pifferini's attorney.
4/3/26: Ashley Pearce-Pifferini held to answer to both charges. She was not remanded into custody and remains on supervised release. You can read the court minutes from both days which include a complete list of witnesses and exhibits such as photo of side of child's face with bruising, footage from WINCO, 911 call and unusual incident/injury report.
Pearce-Pifferini had the courtroom packed with supporters. The victim, an innocent child, had no one except Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm. I saw someone in the courtroom that maybe there for the victim but due to the nature of the case and who the person is, I cannot ask them.
As my readers know, I have covered every single hearing for human trafficking suspect Georgi Tonev and no other media was present. There has also been a continuance since 3/25/26 every day with the same issues being discussed due to the nonsense by DA and HCSO who think everyone else has time to waste due to HCSO's training. If HCSO and DA cannot get their witnesses together, they shouldn't keep mucking and advancing dates.
To get caught up to today, those updates are in my March 26 Tonev post.
The case got continued from this morning to 1:30. I doubt the issues will be resolved today and I am not waiting around to see if the preliminary hearing may go with all the other cases and news I can report. If the preliminary hearing proceeds today, the court minutes can suffice.
The real story is how the court system is being manipulated. I am not defending Tonev but is something other local media won't cover.
Human trafficking is a serious crime and this case is not more egregious than any other situation where that is happening so why all the drama and resources on this one case?
1:30 p.m. update: The preliminary hearing has been assigned to Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel but has not started because a juvenile case is being called first. HCSO is here including Deputy Justin Pryor. Deputy DA Rebecca Buckley-Stein is here. Humboldt DA Stacey Eads is here. Defense also has witnesses. I will most likely add court minutes since there is a lot going on today as I explained earlier. 1:50 p.m. Courtroom 5 opened but Tonev not in court yet. Attorneys looking for someone on Zoom. Case called at 1:54 p.m.
4/3: Deputy Pryor still on the stand. At 11:44, one of the two defense witnesses in cowboy hats still waiting to testify went in the courtroom.
The two day preliminary hearing on Georgi Tonev just concluded.He was only held to answer on charges for 1 of 3 victims. Bail was reduced; another defense win. Another OR bail hearing on 4/6. Arraignment on information on 4/17.
The DA amended the complaint, lost several motions, advanced the preliminary hearing and look at the result and time wasted.
Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads, several Deputy DAs and even a DA staff member was there. This staff member pitched a fit the last time I mentioned her name when it was on record and in court minutes and she was there on behalf of the DA's office. Even when I removed her last name but not first from the post since it was a sensitive case and since she was there as a support person, she has had an attitude with me. I did not have to and I will not in the future.
This staff member is more political than the Deputy DAs. I am so over this immature, petty behavior at the Courthouse whether it is from the DA's office, court staff or staff from any other agency.
This staffer came to court today and I am not going to use her name until I know why. She is Mexican. The HCSO press release on Tonev mentioned contact with the Mexican consulate. What was so important that at a time when everyone is busy, this DA staffer came to court for Tonev? If she has any involvement in this case, there needs to be transparency. Why the overzealousness for this case from HCSO and the DA's office?
You can read court minutes from both days.
Richard Toledo, Cal Poly protestor is charged with three misdemeanors. I was correct about his arraignment date which is 4/20 and I reported that on March 8. The Humboldt County DA has charged Toledo with PC 236 false imprisonment, PC 240 assailt and PC 242 battery. The complaint was filed today. Alleged victim is Michael Gordon Moore, Jr for all three counts.
There was a hearing scheduled on 3/25 to see if the temporary restraining order previously granted would be permanent but the CA DOJ filed a request for dismissal without prejudice on 3/24.
Once again, EPD wants the public's help identifying a burglary suspect.
"On April 1st, 2026 Officers with the Eureka Police Department (EPD) responded to a residence at the 3500 block of M St for a report of a burglary.
Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, who reported that an unknown suspect gained access to the residence and stole a large amount of jewelry. Video surveillance indicates the incident occurred on March 31st, 2026, between approximately 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. The suspect was observed wearing an orange facial covering at the time of the incident.
I was the only one to cover former employee of Weott Community Services District Julie Santibanez's embezzlement and identity theft 2023 case. She was sentenced yesterday by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum to 1 day in jail and two years probation for a grand theft conviction. She was booked and released. I already reported on her plea in detail which was taken by Judge Cockrum.
Deputy DA Brandon Boozari appeared at the last hearing. Deputy DA Candace Myers for sentencing. Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClurg is Santibanez' attorney.
I am very grateful to those who chose to read my work and follow me. My readers knew Rick Toledo's court date was 4/20 on March 8. I also have been checking to see if charges are being filed.
Until they are, I don't need to do an entire post like LOCO and TS weeks later to repeat old information and paragraphs of nothing concrete. Saying charges will be filed is wasting Humboldt County DA Stacey Eads' time when there are several daily arrests and other matters needing her attention.
Toledo's case maybe of interest to Cal Poly Humboldt activists. Most of Humboldt knows there are more serious cases and defendants. How many more articles will LOCO and TS milk about spoiled privileged, clueless students who protest about every cause du jour instead of tackling real issues affecting the people in Humboldt?
4/2/26: After LOCO and TS wasted Ms. Eads time answering their emails about misdemeanor charges that could have waited until the day of arraignment, they didn't even bother posting them. I did before them again today; while covering several other cases today and catching up on cases for the time I was away this week. Sage from LOCO was at the courthouse most of today. Defendants with more serious charges and of interest to most of the community sometimes wait hours or minutes before arraignment but everyone else who actually is busy and juggling a hectic schedule had to drop everything because the lazy Humbodt "activist" media and the self absorbed Cal Poly Humboldt protestors couldn't wait and think the world revolves around them.
Sage who now works for LOCO instead of TS told me he likes working for a hedge fund. There are other local media who get grants. Still they whine about money.
I do what I do and try and earn money in a county which has made it very difficult for me to earn anything.
My reporting should be monetized but it isn't and will never be in Humboldt County because the good ole boys and gals in charge for decades and their nepo progeny are not interested in quality journalism, truth or independent reporting.
Failure belongs to the petty, small minded denizens of Humboldt County in charge and those who enable them. Their "legacy" is the loss of timber, fishing, every industry that tries to employ people privately and the abandoned storefronts and crime. I consider it a blessing that these losers don't have anything to do with me because destruction is their record. Those who do support me, thank you for the sacrifice and investment.
On the Tuesday, April 7 Eureka City Council meeting is the introduction of an ordinance regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax commonly known as TOT. The agenda summary has generalities with no specifics and is not helpful to those who own properties and pay TOT in Eureka. The bill is online under the agenda item and too lengthy to post but if you are a business owner, I would reach out to the City of Eureka before the meeting or call them with questions.