After the County of Humboldt's failed attempt to remove Judge Canning, County Counsel files a demurrer and motion to dismiss Redwood Oil lawsuit

 

I just did a post on Redwood Oil's lawsuit against the County of Humboldt on May 18.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/05/petty-county-of-humboldt-threatening-me.html?m=1#more

That post has screenshots to all prior coverage on this lawsuit and if you did not read the posts, use the search feature or Google to access them. I reported on this lawsuit first and for weeks. 

The 5/18 court minutes are still not in e court and I have checked daily including this morning. A demurrer filed by the County of Humboldt on 5/15/26 and scheduled for 6/12 was entered in e court today. The County asks the demurrer be granted and to "dismiss the petition with prejudice."

I have included the demurrer, mainly for the legal eagles and civil lawyers who follow and read my blog. Unlike Humboldt County Counsel, the civil lawyers in California and Humboldt I like and respect file court documents that are not a snoozefest and predictable.

Only a despicable coward would misuse a comment section and spew vitriol for a biased agenda and do it on a post about an alleged molestation victim

I have no idea who Jolene Hassenfritz is and why someone from Iowa is commenting on my Facebook page on this case but she clearly cannot read nor grasp that the list of witnesses I included do not mean today. I am not even going to address her inaccuracy about time nor do I owe her any explaination. There are a lot of angry people who think they can be abusive and lash out. I don't care whether you are from Humboldt or Timbuktu, take your disrespectful drama elsewhere where there is no moderation and you think you can make up your own reality and facts.

Did a google search. Are you the Jolene from Iowa or Petrolia or one of the many addresses in Humboldt? Your Facebook profile lists Iowa. Are you the Jolene Hassenfritz associated with the Silas F. Morrison Family Trust? That would explain your entitled, rude arrogance.

You are the second person from a certain area who has been vile and abusive to me and the third person from Southern Humboldt recently. And the second person to go off on me on an alleged molestation case.

Only a despicable coward would misuse a comment section and spew vitriol for a biased agenda and do it on a post about an alleged molestation victim.

Same applies to Tracey Zeimetz. I am too busy to babysit and moderate comments from deluded women who defend an alleged molestor with their unsubstantiated opinions. You have other options where you can show your lack of character. 

In my google search, the Catholic Church comes up in connection with both of you.

There was only one woman and one man in the courtroom this morning. Both were not sitting with the Victim Witness Representative. Yet, two women who I have never seen on my page before show up with their fangs out attacking me online?

My regular readers are smart. They check on me  on days like today. They know why there are these constant attacks and hate. 

"Children do not get to pick the adults around them." Jane Doe's mother dated Gomez, she knew about his sexual fantasies about her daughter; she did not report him to police

 

Alleged molestor Trinidad Gomez' jury trial started today.  

Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timn is the prosecutor for this case. Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps is Gomez' attorney. Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge John Feeney is presiding over the trial.

11:48: Ms. Timm finished her opening statement. Defense reserved opening statement. First People's witness is HCSO Deputy Megan Hwang who just started testimony and is the People's first witness.

No media here. I have a list of witnesses who all may or may not testify in this trial because I was in the courtroom today and took notes before Ms. Timm's opening statement.

Humboldt County DA Investigator Chelsea Brewer; Investigator Paul Morris (last name was hard to read), Chantel Harris, Child Welfare Services and Karen Sargent, CWS.

This is a case involving alleged sex crimes and  molestation of a minor victim. Court testimony will include language and graphic details. It is your choice to read beyond this point.

Mental health diversion or jury trial

James Atkins another case I have followed regularly since the arrest. Mental health diversion will be addressed first at 11, then depending on outcome, if jury trial proceeds, it has been assigned to Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward.

I just met and introduced myself to Mr. Anthony Tall, Atkins attorney. Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for this case.

12:10 update: Case is proceeding to trial. Judge Steward denied the motion for mental health diversion. The treatment plan was one of the reasons but Mr. Tall also filed this pre trial diversion the day the jury trial was scheduled to begin.

As I previously reported, Mr. Tall is from Los Angeles but he also practices in other California counties and other states. If you read all my prior coverage on this case, you know Mr. Tall inherited this case later.

Jury selection started this afternoon. Court minutes included have information on Judge Steward's ruling on bifurcation; dark days for the trial and Mr. Rees providing a report to Mr.Tall about a potential People's witness in the jail who may testify against Atkins and concern about potential retaliation.

Jonathan Martin arrested by EPD for kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic violence and aggravated battery

Jonathan Dean Martin was arrested by Eureka Police yesterday PC 273.5(a) domestic violence, PC 236 false imprisonment, PC 243(d) battery causing serious bodily injury, also known as aggravated battery. and PC 207(a) kidnapping.

12 cases in Humboldt Superior Court which include one 2024 criminal case in which Martin entered a plea to DUI and blood alcohol special allegation. Other cases include family law cases, small claims, family support and a 1997 case which lists no information other than it is civil unlimited, auto tort that Martin filed against a Patricia McCutcheon and it was dismissed on 9/30/1997.

More changes to Humboldt court coverage

Today, my priority is covering Trinidad Gomez's case. Motions in limine were scheduled for 9:30, jurors were asked to come in at 11. Opening instructions will be provided by Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge John Feeney and then opening statement by the Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm. The defense has a choice when to give an opening statement so whether and how much evidence will be presented today will depend on that decision.

Motions to continue in Danielle Durand and Deunn Willis, in Georgi Tonev's case can be added to previous posts later. With Durand and Willis, I am not doing multiple updates for Friday and today. Same with Tonev; the hearing on Deputy DA Rebecca Buckley-Stein's motion to either advance or continue Readiness Conference was continued to tomorrow. Ms. Andrea Sullivan contacted Ms. Buckley-Stein about her availability and asked the hearing on the motion be rescheduled for tomorrow.

I have covered all these cases from the beginning including Victor  Phetsomphou.

I don't do inaccurate coverage, I don't do random coverage and covering the amount of cases I do simultaneously and live for 12 years is why I have loyal and educated readers. Regular readers do not need links provided to prior coverage and with all the court cases I have to cover, I am no longer doing that for every post. Which platform I update first varies.

I don't cover court cases and state incomplete information such as there is a motion without more details.. In Durand and Willis, there is a motion to continue by Durand's attorney today because thousands of files were provided and motion to compel discovery was withdrawn on Friday. Willis' attorney Kreis is not opposing the motion and he is not even in court today. Ms. Joanne Carter who represents Durand is appearing for him. Deputy DA Roger Rees opposed the motion to continue Friday citing victims' right to a speedy trial. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward granted the request to continue today, preliminary hearing rescheduled to 6/26.

Phetsomphou waived preliminary hearing in two cases on Friday and the third is trailing. Defense motions denied by Humboldt Superipr Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum. That update and court minutes have been added to the previous post I did on March 12.

I check every case I am following daily and I update every single case and every hearing. With all the cases, I am following, whether I remind you or notify you that updates are in previous posts; the choice to check or not is yours.

With two jury trials, one courtroom calling the arraignment and OR calendar in the afternoon, there is just Courtroom 1 for preliminary hearings tomorrow on 5/27. In addition to motions to continue already scheduled; expect more. I still have to check several cases and wait so rinse and repeat of today as far as court cases are concerned.

Reader provides more details about false imprisonment suspect David Orluck

 

When I posted on David Orluck's arrest on Friday, a google search listed him as a Senior Environmental Analyst working for the County in 2022. Transparent California isn't always current.

I just received a confidential tip giving more details. Since today is a holiday, I contacted CALTrans PIO Manny Machado. He is looking into my inquiry.

"David Orluck is currently (newly) employed by the State of California, in the Caltrans Environmental division in Eureka CA."

I received a second message from a reader who confirmed he works at CalTrans and is still in the probationary period.

5/26/26: Angelina Torres filed a request for a temporary domestic violence restraining order today. 

6:32 p.m. I am going  through the court document filed because it has medical information, screenshots of texts and some of that includes graphic, sexual language and I don't want to post any information identifying the alleged victim's address or phone numbers. It lists the weapons he allegedly has at home and specific dates of alleged abuse. I am some pages right now as I go through each page.

Some of the language and filings for this restraining order and court document are graphic and difficult to read. It is your choice to proceed further.

TMZ submitted PRA to HCSO for Gabriela Gonzalez

 

This was HCSO's response.

I have included the May 19 press release from the Los Angeles County DA's Office and the complaint filed May 19.

The individual Humboldt booking and release logs for each day don't list Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez in Humboldt but if you check Vinelink, you will see when she was booked in Humboldt County then transferred from Humboldt to be booked in LA.

Repeat offender Travis Evans held to answer to 4 out of 5 counts in 2026 case

 

In March, I did this post on Eureka Police Department's arrest of Travis Evans.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/03/what-is-with-eureka-repeat-offenders.html?m=1#more

It has been so busy and increasing every day in the last few months that I have not had a chance to do an update on Evan's case. Not every arrest is going to get an update with the amount of court cases I cover and other news no one else reports. Evans is not a case that has generated any interest.

The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office filed charges for the EPD arrest on 3/4/26. Evans was arraigned the same day. Public Defender's office was appointed and bail was set at $40,000 by Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Marilyn Miles.There was an OR bail hearing on 3/6 and OR and supervised release was denied by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward. After four continuances, finally Evan's preliminary hearing proceeded on 5/19.

Different Deputy DAs appeared on the case for the preliminary hearing, it was Deputy DA Frankie Olivares. Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian is Evan's attorney.

Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson held Evans to answer to Counts 1, 2, 3 and 4. He was not held to answer to Count 5. 

Arraignment on information is on 6/3.

Charges and court minutes from the preliminary hearing are included in this post.

Evans should stop wasting court resources and taxpayer dollars and make an offer to the DA to resolve the case. 

The DA's office is trying to protect the public, two different judges have so far prevented Kevin Astry from being released into the community; if he is the public can send their concerns to the Humboldt County Public Defender

 

I have been covering every hearing for indecent exposure Kevin Astry since his arrest. If you want those details and chronological context to the last hearing, I have provided links to my prior coverage.

Different Deputy DAs have appeared on the case and different Humboldt Superior Court judges have had the case calendared. Despite two different judges making it clear to the Public Defender's office representing Astry how they feel about declaring doubt and mental health diversion and Astry's failure to appear for court despite getting services; the Public Defender's Office persists as they do with complete disregard to public safety.

On 5/20, Astry's case was calendared for placement hearing and contested hearing on mental health diversion. The contested hearing was continued to 6/5. The placement hearing was deferred.

Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson made a finding in the interest of justice to restore the Astry to competency. 

Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada still requested PC 1001.36 mental diversion. Senior Deputy District District Attorney Roger Rees objected to diversion. 

I could have added this update to the previous post. I did not have to include court minutes. I did so because the students and residents near Pine Hill Elementary who were affected by Astry and what led to his arrest by HCSO need some peace of mind until 6/5.

If Astry is released into the community, they need to know why and who was responsible. They also need to know who spoke up to protect them. 

While Conflict Counsel and private attorneys also use mental health diversion; from my coverage; it is frequent with the Humboldt County Public Defender's Office and I personally have been impacted, harassed and threatened by their clients released into the community; some who have been repeatedly arrested and have several cases.

San Diego police officer charged with 5 counts of child sex abuse involving three minors

 

U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California released details of an indictment  charging San Diego Police Officer Brandon McGibbon with child sexual abuse offenses involving three minors.

A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed in San Diego on May 22, 2026 charging McGibbon " with five counts of child sexual abuse offenses involving three minor victims."

"According to court records, between October 25 and November 6, 2025, McGibbon engaged in the attempted receipt and production of child pornography and the attempted enticement and coercion of the minors to engage in obscene matter and sexual conduct. "

"Special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation of the San Diego Police Department, led the investigation. This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit and was done with the collaboration of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. Formed in April 2025, the SVU is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving sex trafficking and child exploitation, civil rights, and labor trafficking. "

"McGibbon is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Brammell and Lyndzie M. Carter. "

Shots fired near White House

 

Information from official accounts only.

5:38 p.m. update.

5/24/26: Statement at 4:46 p.m. today.

David Greene arrested by HCSO for possession of child pornography

74 year old David Freeman Greene was arrested yesterday by HCSO for PC 311.11 (a) possession of child pornography. He posted bond.

When I tried to check the Cal Poly Humboldt page to see if this is the same David Greene, I get the page no longer exists error.

As usual, there are a lot of repeat Humboldt offenders I see on the jail log arrest from yesterday. Search Charles Albert Kesserling on my blog or Google.

Early morning and CHP pulls you over. Let's see if it makes tomorrow's jail log

Early morning and CHP pulls you over. Let's see if it makes tomorrow's jail log.

"I have been advised by counsel not to comment further at this time."

 

I already got a statement from Shannon Miranda and was the first one to do so. Both times HCSO was there, I reported first and live. I reported on this investigation into Miranda's rescue first and before other local media.

In my April 28 post, this is what Shannon told me,"I have not done anything wrong. At this time, I have no comment."

Times Standard's paywall is an obstacle and I did recently check a few other local media outlets. I did not see any comments from Shannon on local outlets. 

As this made regional news, two statements were posted on Miranda's Rescue Facebook page 24 hours ago. I didn't see them included in any local coverage, they were included in regional coverage but all these liberal, Northern California media outlets ignored HCSO Lt. Taylor's press release. 

From what I see, no one has spoken to Shannon directly except me. The coverage is mostly biased and one sided, locally and regionally.

"I have been advised by counsel not to comment further at this time" 

I get why Shannon posted on Facebook which anyone who has not been the target of the angry mob mentality, especially from Humboldt, does not understand but Shannon, facts don't matter to many in this small, jealous, petty county. 

The local sub Reddit which is the toilet bowl of anon online unmoderated forums is the worst and Facebook is next followed by the online comment sections of certain local media.

Unfortunately Shannon, you did post two statements on Miranda's Rescue Facebook. Now all the keyboard warriors who live for the drama and attention started speculation again.

HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor tried to calm and descalate with the press release two days ago. 

What you posted on Facebook can be used against you, just as I said it would for the others involved who are online. 

I did reach out to Shannon, again. If he wishes to make a statement. 

I am not linking on the posts I have done on Miranda's rescue investigation and HCSO being at Shannon Miranda's property. They are accessible easily and for free via the search feature on the blog. 

Ramey warrant states Edward Neagu gave the minor meth, misled John Doe about being female and prevented him from leaving the residence; one day John Doe managed to escape

 

Regular readers and others already read two posts this week on alleged molestor Edward Neagu. Just like those posts, once again exclusive information and first here.

Neagu has a preliminary hearing scheduled on 6/2. The details you are about to read may or may not be shared at that hearing; assuming it may even proceed that day.

I have a court certified copy of the affadavit and arrest warrant for Neagu authored by Eureka Police Detective Donald Bailey.

I am not going to post the entire copy so the other media and anyone else can take my copyrighted content or profit from my work. Ramey warrants have to be specially requested, they are not available in e court and I had to pay for the copy. 

If other media or someone else wants to get a copy, they can hike and try get a copy before the clerk office closes at 2 p.m and pay for the paperwork.

I also have to make sure I don't share any sensitive information. There are parts of the Ramey warrant that have information about the school the minor victim attends and a guardian's name. There are phone numbers that need to be verified at a preliminary hearing. 

I am not going to rush to include certain information . If it comes out at preliminary hearing, that is a decision I cannot make because it may not be necessary to include it at that time either. 

The page with arrestee information has details about Neagu that have been shared by EPD or in court records but there is information about his vehicle not yet made public. I am not posting that page. 

Here is one excerpt.

This is coverage about alleged molestation. The law enforcement and court records include sensitive details. The one excerpt posted below does not have any graphic details but it will be difficult to read. It is your choice to read beyond this paragraph.

When Det. Bailey did a criminal background check, he found Neagu was a suspect in a 2025 case. There are details in the Ramey warrant about those juveniles and Neagu's pattern of behavior.

5/27/26: As soon as I saw the Public Defender appointed for alleged molestor Edward Neagu, I was waiting for them to declare conflict. This morning, there is a hearing to appoint another attorney. It will be granted and there will be a delay in the preliminary hearing scheduled whether that happens today or later. I will update more after covering today's cases.

Ballots discovered earlier from the November special election will be counted

The Humboldt County Office of Elections just issued an update that the ballots discovered earlier this month inside a locked drop box from the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election will be counted.

The blog is sometimes and often the last platform I update. Other platforms are better for live reporting and updates.

If you did not read the May 6 post, you can access it for free via the search feature on the blog.

Sacramento man arrested by CA DOJ for targeting patrons at bar and casinos and defrauding investors through a fake cannabis investment scheme

 

California Attorney General Rob Bonta just released a statement about "the arrest of a Sacramento fraudster and the dismantling of a cannabis investment scheme. Between December 2017 and March 2026, the conman defrauded investors out of more than half a million dollars through a fake cannabis investment scheme."