Traffic stop in Hoopa results in felon being arrested for loaded firearm and fentanyl

On Jan. 17, 2023, at about 10:53 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the Hoopa area conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation on Highway 96 near Moon Lane.

Deputies contacted two occupants of the vehicle and observed controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in plain view. During their investigation, deputies learned that the passenger of the vehicle, 33-year-old Ethel Louise Reed, was in possession of an unsecured loaded firearm, which was later located during a search of the vehicle. Reed was confirmed to be a convicted felon restricted from possessing firearms. During a search of Reed incident to arrest, deputies located over 90 prescription pills and over 3 grams of suspected fentanyl.

Reed was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance while armed (HS 11370.1(a)), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)), carrying a loaded firearm not registered to the individual (PC 25850(c)(6)), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (BP 4060) and possession of a narcotic controlled substance (HS 11350(a)).

The driver was released at the scene.