Beginning his career as a Volunteer Firefighter in Arcata, Robertson quickly proved himself to be a reliable and skilled professional. Over the past 26 years, his extensive experience and deep knowledge have made him an invaluable asset to Humboldt Bay Fire, Eureka Fire Department, Humboldt No. 1 Fire Protection District, and the community he serves.
Federal and state courts report a combined 13 percent decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2023. The numbers were compared to 2022 stats. Arrests in cases involving electronic surveillance increased but convictions decreased.
Brandon Markus Sampanes taken into custody after sentencing on June 27 after being sentenced. When I reported on his plea deal last month, Judge Lawrence Killoran sentenced Sampanes to 2 years probation as he previously indicated.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office just issued details about the Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan Program.
4,000 first-time homebuyers have already been conditionally approved and provided vouchers offering up to 20% of a home’s value for down payment and closing cost assistance.
After my post yesterday, Sheriff William Honsal sent this response to former HCSO Lt. Sam Williams, "Good Afternoon Sam, Your email complaint has been reviewed. At this time I do not have supporting evidence that indicates a policy violation has occurred. If you want to discuss your case further and provide further details, we can set up a time next week to talk. Let me know what works best for you."
Sam's response to Sheriff Honsal is posted below.
Some of the incidents in alleged molestor Steve Boudreaux's trial happened at the Arcata House. Others happened at a residence in Samoa. While jury selection was going on, two days in a row, Deputy District Whitney Timm had to bring issues to the attention of Retired Judge John Feeney about prospective jurors. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo is Boudreaux's attorney.
On 6/20, a prospective juror addressed Ms. Timm and there was a discussion about an investigator from Public Defender's office speaking with a prospective juror. On 6/21, there was discussion about prospective juror making a statement to DA Investigator Ryan Hill. On 6/24, attorneys made opening statements and Jane Doe testified.
Trial dates had been previously scheduled in the second lawsuit involving Joe Mazzotti. This one was filed against Mazzotti LLC by Itria Ventures LLC for breach of contract. When I checked on this case, a 7/26 date has been added for a motion for summary judgement. Joe who is representing himself has filed some court documents. I have provided some complete documents and excerpts from other filings. Joe Mazzotti can say whatever he wants, let's see what happens on 7/26. If you did not read my prior coverage with court documents on this lawsuit and the other lawsuit filed against Joe Mazzotti by Wallace and Hinz, you should.
If Joe Mazzotti has moved as he claims, why is he filing documents with an Arcata address? One of my regular readers sent me an email and made some observations about where Joe Mazzotti might haved relocated. I told that reader I would be including them in this post.
On June 18, I reported that former HCSO Lt. Sam Williams had filed an appeal in his criminal case and lack of response to an email and request for internal investigation.
Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads, DA Stacey Eads, Sheriff William Honsal and Undersheriff JD Braud receiveda second request via email today from Williams. As reported, he is out of state and no longer lives in Humboldt.
"I suspect they are worried about litigation/ or appeal, or AG inquiry" is just one observation I received.
I have received a lot of feedback on this as I do on all my posts from former law enforcement, lawyers, community members who knew Sam well and people who know how Humboldt works and that this blog has consistently held abuse of power accountable and exposed lack of transparency.
6/27: After my post, Sheriff Honsal sent this response to Sam.
"Good Afternoon Sam,
Your email complaint has been reviewed. At this time I do not have supporting evidence that indicates a policy violation has occurred. If you want to discuss your case further and provide further details, we can set up a time next week to talk. Let me know what works best for you."
On June 14, a man on probation was seen on surveillance video removing the Pride Flag displayed at the Humboldt County Courthouse and putting it in his vehicle. Eureka Police Department was notified on June 18; four days later. At that time the flag was no longer in possession of the suspect. EPD detectives are working on a warrant for his arrest.
NBC News reported a “Happy Pride” banner and two rainbow Pride flags displayed at a historic New York City church were ripped down by someone on June 22.
The Humboldt and New York City incidents are only two examples theft and destruction of Pride flags and other Pride symbols this year in the U.S.
On 6/22/2024 at 4:00 am Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a reported structure fire in a vacant apartment of a six-unit apartment complex at 607 Summer St.
On the agenda for this Tuesday's Humboldt County Board of Supervisor's meeting is an item to film HCSO deputies on duty.
Aaron Chris Hooven was arrested yesterday by HCSO on two misdemeanor charges, PC 243 (e) (1) domestic battery domestic battery and PC 417(a) (1) brandishing a weapon or firearm and PC 148 (a) (1) resisting arrest.
I have covered Hooven before. I covered his 2018 arrest, case and he was sentenced in 2019.
Convicted upskirter, sex offender and former court mediator Joseph Hale was expected to be released on June 22 from the Humboldt County jail. Per Penal Code 4018.6, inmate Hale was released three days early on June 19.
EPD just issued a press releaon se. Theft occurred on June 14, EPD was informed June 18. Man admitted to stealing the flag but it is no longer in his possession. You can watch the video via the link provided.
Matthew Russell Miller was arrested on 6/18 by Arcata Police Department for PC 261(a)(3) rape of an intoxicated or unconscious victim. He posted bond.
The photo on a Linkedin profile for Matthew Miller, who lists sous chef at the Big Blue Cafe, is very similar. APD has not responded to request for more information.
On June 20th, 2024, at about 10:35 a.m.., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the Loleta area for a report of a possible small aircraft accident. Other emergency services to include the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Humboldt Bay Refuge, Loleta Volunteer Fire Department, and City Ambulance also responded.
Tonight, there is a Zoom meeting on the latest information and planning about for the June 22 protest against Boeing and Raytheon organized by the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice based in Los Angeles.
I am not posting the Zoom link in the email sent about this event but I have included the Facebook post which is public and has a list of endorsers and the Center's contact information.
Michael Acosta's appeal in 2020 for the same case denied. He filed two other appeals. The one filed in March 2024, another denial. The one filed in 2023 he keeps requesting extension of time.
Labor Commissioner cited $5,901,700 Amazon for violating California’s Warehouse Quotas Law. Details in press release issued today. As expected, this made national headlines.
I just did a post on Wallace and Hinz's lawsuit against Joe Mazzotti last week. Ms. Heather Burke had not seen the motion to quash by Joe Mazzotti on 6/10. Motion to quash and order of examination hearing was continued to 6/17 and continued again to 7/1. A request for contempt citation is also scheduled for the same day. Jack Wu order of examination hearing is on 7/8; Hannah Golden Appearance order of examination on 7/15 and Jean Mazzotti order of examination on 7/22.
Any normal person by now reading the same court documents knows what is required but Joe drags on the court process . Judge Timothy Canning has the patient of a saint.
In April, I reported former court reporter Kay Marie Gibbs sued the County of Humboldt. Mr. Patrik Griego is Ms. Gibbs' attorney. In that previpus post, are court documents and details of four allegations of failure to discharge mandatory duty under government code and one allegation of negligence.
Del Norte Superior Judge Darren McElfresh issued a written ruling on 6/3/24. I had to wait for the document to be entered in the Humboldt Superior Court system. Judge McElfresh sustained the demurrer filed by County without leave to amend Counts 1 to 4; denied for Count 5. In his ruling, regarding Count 5 Judge McElfresh said Gibbs "might not survive a Section 822.2 challenge"
After endless continuances and an intervention last week that did not result in a resolution, attempted murder suspect Miguel Moreno and Ruben Ramirez's 2023 cases were trailing for assignment until 6/17 when the cases were assigned to Retired Judge Christopher Wilson and the trial will be held in Courtroom 3. Today, motions in limine and jury selection was scheduled to start.
Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm was meeting with civilian witnesses this morning. DA Investigator Greg Hill was with him.
Moreno is represented by Mr. Ken Bareilles. Deputy Public Defender David Celli is Ramirez's attorney.
Moreno's assault and battery in the jail on inmate and murder suspect Brandon Widmark is trailing this case. He was arraigned on 1/2/24 in that case. Moreno's codefendant in the assault case is Johnny Fitzgerald.
Former HCSO Lt. Sam Williams filed an appeal in his 2023 criminal case. Humboldt Superior Court records show notification of filing. It does not show yet on the California Court of Appeal website.
I confirmed the filing of appeal with Sam. He also confirmed that he had contacted the DA and Sheriff William Honsal via email about the investigation and they did not respond to him. Sam then followed up with Undersheriff JD Braud who said he would look into it and nothing from him either. This inquiry is unrelated to the appeal.
DA Stacey Eads, Sheriff Honsal and Undersheriff JD Braud are elected officials and we pay their salary. This unprofessional, selective ignoring of who gets a response is because their bosses aka certain Supervisors engage in the same childish behavior and lack of accountability. They do respond to their cronies and media tools.
I asked the following questions to Humboldt Bay Fire Chief Sean Robertson and representatives of Local 652 leadership.
Posted below are my questions and their answers.
The last time I wrote about convicted felon Delano Malang's case was in 2023 when I reported ousted former Humboldt Superior Court judge Gregory Kreis' ruling was reversed on appeal with sentencing errors. Malang is bit an Arcata Police Department Sgt and had been sentenced by Kreis to 4 years, 8 months.
Malang's 2022 case was on calendar today with arraignment on information on other charges he got while he was in custody in Humboldt jail. Charges including assault on a correctional officer and taking a CO's taser. Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm was in court today. He prosecuted Malang in the APD case.
Humboldt Bay Fire released photos and information about the fire at Five Eleven in Old Town Eureka.
Aunna Bollman has 8 open criminal cases with charges in these cases ranging from criminal threats, elder abuse, assault, willfull disobedience of court order. She still has an open case with a TRO granted which was requested by DANCO. This in addition to two three year restraining orders already granted which were requested by County of Humboldt and City of Fortuna.
