I posted yesterday about two EPD arrests and one of them was Matthew Esparza. I had contacted EPD Crime Analyst Brittany Powell yesterday to ask if he was connected to the Cousins Street incident. Esparza has two criminal cases in 2021 and one traffic ordinance.
Convicted felon Delano Malang was found guilty of all charges in March. Today he was sentenced by Judge Elvine-Kreis to 4 years 8 months. His prior strike, nickel and great bodily injury enhancements were stricken. All current credits, 300 plus were applied to the misdemeanor charge in this case. Defense motion for new trial denied.
Kneeland homicide suspect Austin Medeiros who also assaulted a correctional deputy was found not competent to stand trial. Both People and defense submitted on Dr. Wilson's report.
Medeiros was shackled in court and in a red jumpsuit which means he is in admin segregation.
On May 27, Devon Hanson was arraigned on a warrant. Hanson was arrested by CHP on May 26 on a bench warrant for her case which includes DUI charges and battery on an officer. Hanson had been previously granted supervised release by Judge Christopher Wilson.
Two arrests by Eureka Police Department yesterday involving firearms.
Matthew David Esparza for PC 246.3., negligent discharge of a firearm.
Eureka Police Captain Brian Stephens just issued a press release with some initial information about the Cousins Street incident. Investigation is still active and more details will be released when it is completed.
On May 29, late morning there was an incident near Cousins street which resulted in several officers from Eureka Police Department responding with Humboldt County Sheriff assisting. EPD Chief Todd Jarvis, EPD Captain Brian Stephens, HCSO Lt. Greg Allen, SWAT and Crisis Negotiator were on scene. HCSO Bearcat was brought in later. Off duty officers from EPD had to return to work. EPD had their hands full with other incidents all over Eureka.
I just spoke with the store manager from Mckinleyville, who is doing double duty, temporarily in Eureka while the Eureka manager is out on maternity leave.
She said there were "staffing challenges." They are closed for the day. They may even open later this afternoon.
5/31: Starbucks is back to regular hours and fully staffed today.
John Paul King was arrested yesterday by EPD for domestic battery.
"This was sent to the STB today and to all the folks who are involved." Just received this via email from Uri Driscoll. I also spoke with him.
"Tuesday is the deadline for anyone else to make an offer to purchase part or all of the sections," said Uri. "The two sections earmarked are consistent with what we presented to NCRA in 2019. We just want to make sure the tracks are maintained."
Gary Landergen was in court by himself today. Once again, Mr. Zach Curtis made a special appearance. Arraignment was completed today. 10 day waiver entered.
Confirmation of counsel is on June 15. For now, preliminary hearing is on July 29.
The letter Judge Timothy Canning wrote regarding Ben McLaughlin has elicited three responses. Since yesterday, in less than 24 hours, Humboldt Superior Court responded, then the McLaughlin campaign responded and now former Humboldt Deputy DA Joel Buckingham. Joel is running for San Benito District Attorney.
Yesterday, I did a post about a sign with Jared Huffman's phone number. Apparently, it got enough attention and the sign is gone. Added below is a response from USPS I got today 9 minutes after the post was published.
I ran the orginial letter by Judge Timothy Canning, the response by Humboldt Superior Court and today, there was a press release from the Ben McLaughlin campaign.
Devon Renee Hanson was arrested by CHP on a bench warrant yesterday for her case which includes DUI charges and battery on an officer. She is being arraigned on that warrant this afternoon. So far, she is in custody unless she is released again by a judge later today.
The building used to be open on weekends. There was a temporary closure on weekends. There are post office boxes used by businesses and individuals. Some of those businesses are 24/7 like bail bonds. Management on Clark says they cannot staff it on weekends. Staff at 5th street got many customer complaints. Today, this sign appeared. Jared Huffman.
On May 27, the sign was taken down.
On May 22, I published a letter from Humboldt Superior Court Judge Canning about his concerns regarding Deputy Public Defender Ben McLaughlin who is one of the candidates for Humboldt Superior Court Judge in the June 7 election.
Today, Humboldt Superior Court CEO Kim Bartleson sent me a response.
On May 25, 2022, due to an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Humboldt County, the Court reinstated the requirement for face masks to be worn in all Courtrooms and the Jury Assembly Room, which is used for jury selection.
Closing arguments were underway this morning in the Gearold Sotolongo trial.
The Honorable Leona Colegrove, Hoopa Valley Tribal Court Chief Judge, called for the support of Ben McLaughlin in the June 7 election. Judge Colegrove wrote to “encourage the vote for Ben McLaughlin for Humboldt County Superior Court Judge,” citing he “has been a long time supporter of Tribal/County collaboration and our Tribal wellness courts.”
Gary Landergen posted the bond for the additional bail again yesterday.
There is an OR/bail hearing, further arraignment and confirmation of counsel tomorrow.
Joseph Costa was arrested by Eureka Police Department on May 21 for PC 273.5 (a) corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant. The local security guard was arraigned this afternoon.
Costa interrupted Judge Kelly Neel three times in court today. Before that he was loud and disrupted another arraignment.
Humboldt County Correctional Deputies and medical staff at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility used medication to save two individuals suspected of opioid overdose.
Fortuna High School Teacher Gary Landergen was arraigned this afternoon. Landergen was here with a woman, a guy and a younger lady at 1:15. Another guy showed up later and spoke with Landergen briefly. Mr. Zach Curtis spoke with Landergen before court. The group was very respectful outside and inside court. Even when Landergen was cuffed and taken into custody and the bailiff handed the phone to one of the men; they were silent.
How will jurors react to Gearold Sotolongo testifying? We will find out soon enough. I asked Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees if he would use a certain line in closing argument.
Retired Judge Marilyn Miles is in Courtroom 5 today instead of Judge Christopher Wilson. Assistant Presiding Judge Kelly Neel is doing double duty. This morning, after calling her calendar in Courtroom 1, she was going over to Courtroom 2 to cover Judge Kaleb Cockrum's calendar. Courtroom 2 wasn't even open as of 9:15.
Former EPD Detective Richard Bise is the latest to leave EPD and work for HCSO. Several experienced compassionate EPD officers are either working for HCSO, have retired or left. The City of Eureka administration, this current Council, certain EPD management and the current anti police climate are the biggest hazards to public safety.
Dr. Candy Stockton was named Humboldt County’s new Health Officer, following confirmation by the Board of Supervisors today.
William Carl Moon was arrested by HCSO on a foreign warrant yesterday for PC 29800 (a)(1) felon in possession of a firearm.
He has 18 cases in the local court system.
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) and local law enforcement are receiving reports that individuals claiming to represent RCEA and/or Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) are going through neighborhoods asking to come into homes to discuss energy contracts and potential bill savings.
This Facebook public group was recently created. This is what happens when you have petulant children on the Board of Supervisors who hire and reward immature yes men and women for acting like mean girls. Supervisors, current and former County employees and a former local government employee who act like they are in high school.
Last week, I did the posts linked below. Pritesh Patel is mentioned in some of the posts.
I have never spoken to Pritesh Patel. He tried calling me twice today. The Humboldt Lodging Alliance lists a Pritesh Patel on their Board of Directors but who knows if the list is current or has changed since October 2020.
Saw a 2019 case on the calendar today. From the list of names, thought I would check it out. Today, the case is on for a dismissal hearing.
So what was this case which has Danco, Dan Johnson, Gene Bass, former HCSO Lt. George Cavinta listed as parties?
Court records and minutes available to the public are minimal. Digging through the file is not worth the effort because like most local civil cases, after dragging on for years, it is on for dismissal after a settlement. Most of these cases have confidential agreements.
Setting of sentencing for convicted felon Markis Shirley was scheduled on May 23. That date was vacated last week. Since my last post, Shirley's sentencing has been continued several times.
Patrick Murphy was arrested in June 2021 for violating a restraining order. Murphy's attorney is Ms. Kathleen Bryson. Murphy is the former owner of Humboldt Hardware.
You may remember Shavonne Hammers from the Jason Arreaga trial.
I previously posted about Humboldt Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning's endorsement of Steve Steward as the next Humboldt Superior Court Judge.
Just a couple of minutes ago, this letter to the editor was sent out to me, LOCO's Hank Sims, Times-Standard's John Richmond, Mad River Union and NCJ's Thad from Judge Canning.
A jury in Butte County found a California tree trimmer guilty last week of crimes he committed in 2020. The victims in Butte and Tehama Counties had their throats cut and slashed.
Joseph Thomas Costa was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC 273.5 (a) corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant.
There is litigation under closed session often on the agenda of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meetings.
One of the existing litigation to be discussed at the next BOS meeting in closed session is yet another lawsuit by a County employee and a Humboldt Public Defender. Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner is suing Humboldt Superior Court. Once again, Judge Gregory Elvine-Kreis is involved.
On 05-20-2022 at approximately 9:26 P.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a possible murder/suicide involving a firearm at a residence in the 4900 block of Burke Hill Road in Ukiah, California.
Christopher Donald Harrington was arrested by Eureka Police Department for PC 459.5, shoplifting.
