Joshua Keyes guilty plea against him shows strength of District Attorney case against him

Press Release:

District Attorney Maggie Fleming announced today (July 19, 2016) that Joshua Keyes, 34, of Eureka, pled guilty to one count of attempted robbery, one count of robbery, and admitted a prior strike conviction from 2001 for residential burglary. He was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in prison. He will be required to serve 85% of the term before release.

The attempted robbery occurred on February 10, 2016. On that date, Joshua Keyes attempted to rob someone near McCullens and Rudy streets in Eureka. Mr. Keyes approached the victim while brandishing a firearm and ordered him to give him money. Mr. Keyes struck the victim in the head with the firearm when the latter did not comply. Mr. Keyes then fled the scene, dropping his cell phone behind him. Detective Harpham of the Eureka Police Department used the contents of that cell phone to determine a suspect in the crime, and the victim subsequently identified Mr. Keyes as the attacker from a photo lineup.

The robbery occurred on February 18, 2016 in McKinleyville. On that date, Mr. Keyes entered another victim’s home and took money, a firearm, a cell phone, and surveillance equipment. The victim was home at the time. Having previously met Mr. Keyes, the victim was able to identify him for law enforcement. The investigation was handled by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department.

May 7, 2016

Five days before his preliminary hearing, Joshua Keyes requests a Marsden hearing

Joshua Keyes requested a Marsden hearing on May 6, five days before his preliminary hearing. Conflict Counsel is representing him.

At 11 a.m. Judge Hinrichs closed the courtroom for this hearing. Keyes' Marsden motion was denied. His preliminary hearing  remains scheduled for May 11.

May 4, 2016

Preliminary hearing for Joshua Keyes, the man arrested while gambling at the casino, continued until May 11

A preliminary hearing  scheduled for Joshua Keyes on April 28 was continued until May 11..

Mar 5, 2016

With his bail now up another $25,000 and charges in another case, Joshua Keyes whispers, "I pick you. I love you" to a woman in court

Joshua Keyes, who had just been arraigned on Thursday, was back in Courtroom 5, again on Thursday. While waiting for his case to be called, he kept glancing in the direction I was sitting, making goofy faces and smiling once or twice.

Keyes was arraigned for another case. Two felonies and one misdemeanor were alleged in the complaint. Bail was set at $25,000.

Count 1, first degree residential burglary, with five special allegations that he failed to remain free from custody from the required time; one other special allegation that he had a prior conviction of a serious and violent felony; Count 2 possession of firearm by a felon with same special allegations; Count 3 was a misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance.

Dates were set on a no time waiver basis. This time Mr. Owen Tipps asked for a date for confirmation of counsel which will be March 8 at 2 p.m. Intervention March 10. Preliminary hearing March 17.

Just as I thought, he was off his rocker, his behavior finally made sense when he left the courtroom.
He whispered to a woman sitting behind me, "I pick you. I love you."

Mar 3, 2016

Joshua Keyes, the man gambling at casino arrested yesterday had previous felony warrant for concentrated marijuana possession; arraigned today

Joshua Keyes was arraigned on a felony, petition to revoke his post release community supervision, in Courtroom 5 this afternoon. Deputy District Attorney David Christensen was present for the People. The Public Defender's office was appointed to represent Keyes.

Intervention is on March 11. Hearing is on March 16.

HCSO Press Release:

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at about 7:30 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Cher-ae Heights Casino for a report of wanted person, 34 year old Joshua Reed Keyes. Keyes was said to be gambling at the casino. Keyes is wanted for armed robbery and a felony parole warrant. Deputies arrived on scene and located Keyes. Keyes initially attempted to pull away from deputies to flee. Deputies were able to apprehend Keyes and handcuffed him without further protests. Neither Keyes nor deputies were injured during the arrest.

Deputies located 9 grams of suspected methamphetamine on Keyes’ person. A silver jaguar was later located in the parking lot by deputies. The keys to the silver jaguar were located in Keyes’ possession.

Keyes was taken to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for robbery and his felony parole warrant. He is not eligible for bail.

Previous (2/19/16):

On Thursday, February 18, 2016 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 2300 block of McKinleyville Ave, for a report of an armed robbery. When deputies arrived on scene they spoke with a male and female victim. The female victim stated two male suspects forced entry into her residence and held her at gunpoint and stole her purse and jewelry. The male victim believed the suspects took an assault rifle and processed marijuana from his 215 grow. The suspects then left the residence and the victims were unharmed. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.

Suspect #1 is described as a white male adult, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a dark scarf over his mouth and nose, and blue jeans. Suspect #2 is described as a white male adult, tall in stature, heavy build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt with a “white bandana” print on the chest, and dark colored shorts. The suspect’s vehicle may be a white Jaguar.

Arcata Police Dept. Press Release:

On 8/12/2013 at about 8:45pm, an officer with the Arcata Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the 500 block of K Street.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as McKinleyville resident Joshua Reid Keyes (age 31), was taken into custody for an outstanding felony warrant for the possession of concentrated cannabis.   A search of Keyes’ vehicle and it’s occupants, which included two subject’s on probation for drug related offenses, yielded five pounds of marijuana packaged into separate one pound increments.

Keyes was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for H&S 11360 - Transportation of marijuana and H&S 11359 - Possession for sales of marijuana.