Former Yurok Tribe executive Director arrested for DUI, Allen McCloskey calls out other local media

 

(Google)

(partial fb post sent by Allen McCloskey)

I just received this email from Allen McCloskey. I do not condone the language or the derogatory reference to Native Americans in Allen's Facebook post. He chose to use it and so the entire text is posted in full.

50 year old Former Yurok Tribe Executive Director and current Carbon Project Manager Javier Ishi Kinney was arrested by CHP yesterday for VC 23152 DUI as a misdemeanor. He was released on O.R. This is a misdemeanor charge. Even if charges are filed, it will most likely go to early resolution first.

I did not see any other local media cover this arrest. I doubt that they will.  The other local media will ignore this just like Rick Littlefield's five DUIs, Trevor Bohn's DUI, the Kailan Meserve case, the John Nicklas case and so many others involving the good ole boys and the Humboldt Connected.

I will also contact CHP PIO Paul Craft tomorrow and see if he can verify the alleged behavior before McKinney was arrested. I don't know how much CHP can say before charges are filed and if there is a preliminary hearing.

The date of birth is also available on the booking logs and is public information.

Mr. Craft responded to me promptly on March 12 in the morning . "I can confirm the following:

On 03-10-2024, at approximately 0153 hours, CHP Officers Ross and Evans responded to the southbound US-101 offramp at Central Ave/SR200 for a report of a vehicle crash with a subject sleeping in the vehicle.

Javier Ishi Kinney (DOB 01/11/1974) was subsequently arrested on 03-10-2024 at 0325 hours for 23152(a) VC – DUI.  Mr. Kinney was transported to St. Joseph Hospital for a medical clearance and was later booked into the Humboldt County Jail at approximately 0722 hours.

Both officers are off for the next few days, and this is the only information I was able to obtain from the available dispatch logs.  No additional information is available currently."

Besides his divorce case filed in 2019, Kinney has a traffic/infraction case from 2020 which was dismissed after proof of correction.

Screenshots from Allen's entire Facebook post four hours ago included below. The Yurok Tribe, Bear River Casino have refused to respond to multiple inquiries in the past so they can chose to send me a statement if they wish if they make one. 

I will make one more attempt to contact the Yurok tomorrow. Posted below are error messages I got from the Yurok Tribe on March 12 for two attempts. This has happened before. They do not even have Matt Mais' email address on the website which was a name I was given. At least, the Trinidad Rancheria is professional enough to respond and include all media on press releases.

Kinney's cases in Humboldt Superior Court:

Allen also sent me a lengthy statement which was also posted on Facebook and includes claims about McKinney's arrest and alleged behavior before. If there is such a video, that concerned motorist who called CHP, according to Allen, can send it to me to verify. I am going to wait to see if the DA files charges. Then check the complaint and follow the process as I would for any other defendant.

Allen also made other claims but without evidence.

The last email from email stated, "At this particular juncture, there is a flat out refusal to communicate on the Yurok tribe executives arrest. And there is a refusal to confirm, and or deny, whether or not he was traveling in a US government GSA vehicle."

I responded telling him, Allen,  "I cannot just post what you say so either send me an email exchange or documentation that verifies your claims." I also told him I will follow this case in the court system if charges are filed.

Since the Yurok Tribe is inaccessible and refuses to release a statement, this makes it difficult to verify or present both sides of the story.

A 2019 press release about Kinney's resignation is posted below. He was rehired by the Yurok Tribe in 2020 as Carbon Project Manager.

Allen McCloskey and Tribal Constituents Condemn Yurok Executive’s Drunk Driving Arrest and the actions of countless other ‘Tribal Leaders’ to drive intoxicated, and the unfortunate Treatment of Arresting Officers

Allen Donald McCloskey, a Yurok Ner-er’Ner’ Member (Requa’ Direct Descendant, and a devout traditionalist) of the Tribe is shocked and outraged by the actions of Javier I. Kinney, the Executive Director of the Yurok Tribe of Northern California( “the largest tribe of Indians”), who has been charged with impaired driving for driving erratically on public highways. A concerned motorist followed Kinney’s car and captured video/images of his intoxicated joy ride before calling the CHP California Highway Patrol. 

McCloskey, an outspoken, self described, “Native Al Sharpton” is calling for the maximum possible sentence for both impaired driving and public endangerment. Kinney should be required to use an ignition interlock for a minimum of (12) twelve months, with no failed attempts to start the vehicle due to alcohol consumption, before any driving privileges are restored in any conventional capacity, even for employment purposes. “He has broken the public trust and must be held to answer.” Said, McCloskey. 

Kinney was described as borderline belligerent during the arrest and while in custody. It was shared that he threatened to get folks in trouble with the Governor, stating that they “had a choice” to let him go and that “you don’t know who I am. And to “call Uncle Gavin in Sacramento.”

“We are profoundly shocked by the actions of Yurok Tribal Executive, Javier Kinney. Driving drunk is a violent, 100% preventable crime that kills 11,000 people a year. And driving drunk with a child passenger is a form of child abuse that can not only lead to severe injury or death of child, but inflicts emotional scars that can last generations,” said one member from the Yurok South District,. “We expect Javier Kinney who allegedly attempted to use his position of power/influence, connection and privilege to try to talk his way out of the crimes he is accused of – to be held to answer to the high standard befitting of someone entrusted to lead a Tribal organization that, tragically, is all too acquainted with the violent aftermath of drunk driving crashes.” stated, McCloskey. 

“The erratic driving shown in videos and the belligerent behavior described, is very simply inexcusable. Drunk driving is the leading killer on America’s roads hands down. It is one of the leading causes of child deaths,” McCloskey said. “It is beyond comprehension that anyone, especially a Tribal Executive who is trained, educated and all to aware of the consequences of his actions, and yet still choose to drive impaired. He didn’t just put his own safety at risk. It is miraculous that he did not kill himself, his children or any of the scores of innocent people he encountered on the roadways during his drunken joy ride. He must be held to a level of accountability befitting/equal to his position of public trust.” 

2019 Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

Today the Yurok Tribe has accepted Javier Kinney’s resignation as Executive Director of the Yurok Tribe.  In an effort to protect our employees and those who work with the Yurok Tribe our Human Resource Policies require personnel issues to remain confidential. Accordingly, the Tribe has no further comment on Mr. Kinney’s resignation.

The Tribe is committed to insuring the peace, harmony, and protection of individual human rights of all individuals who come into contact with our membership and employees. To address questions or concerns from the community regarding the Tribe’s Sexual Harassment Policy, the Tribe takes this opportunity to both acknowledge the historic trauma of our communities and the ongoing need to create a healthy work environment.