On 2/5/25, the jury of 7 men and five women as well as the two men and one woman who are alternate jurors listened to People's expert Dr. Anthony Urquiza testify in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's retrial.
I have seen Dr. Urquiza who is from UC Davis testify at several molestation and sexual abuse jury trials in Humboldt Support about Child Abuse Accomodation Syndrome and barriers to disclosure.
Michael Black was scheduled to be sentenced on 2/6/25. He has several open cases from 2024. Dates have been continued and rescheduled several times. I have covered Black since 2019 and with detailed posts. Sentencing was continued to 2/10.
I extensively covered convicted rapist Darrius Upshaw's case and jury trial as well as the civil case regularly. In my coverage, as it is practice, I referred to the victims as John Doe's. In September 2021, Judge Kelly Neel sentenced former HSU student, Chi Phi fraternity member and Upshaw to 10 years in prison in his Humboldt case. Upshaw has to register as a sex offender.
No other media covered it as I did and only I covered the civil case. The civil case settled and was dismissed in November 24. In the civil case, the plaintiff chose to use his name in court records.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/rapist-darrius-upshaw-chi-phi-and.html?m=1
There are too many posts on both the criminal and civil case to link.If you are an advertiser, subscriber or donor, email me and I will send you the links or a customized response. Others can search the blog for the posts.
An email was sent today to me and some other media. CSU and Chi are free to issue and send a statement in response to Geoffrey Miller. The only thing I have not included in the text are some links provided by Geoffrey Miller which include my coverage of the case.
If you missed or forgot the 2022 coverage about Lot Cops in various locations in Eureka, this the latest lot cop and it is in the parking lot near Eureka City Hall .
Thank you to Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery and Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens for responding on Saturday. Mr. Slattery confirmed it is a "Lot Cop."
"It is a 'Lot Cop', surveillance trailer'", said Chief Stephens." "The city has 4 of them we use to address problematic areas of the city to curtail criminal activity. "
Based on some conversations with businesses and attorneys who have offices near Eureka City Hall in the past, I hope this has made a difference. I am sure I will get feedback in person or via email or text once this post is published.
This Facebook post is a fitting tribute for Joel.
Sergio Madrone was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC 286( b)(1) sodomy with a minor and PC 415 (2) disturbing the peace. The jail log lists both charges for the 2025 arrest as new and they could be but sometimes the jail log can be inaccurate.
I reported on Madrone's arrest by EPD in September 2024 for PC 286(b)(1) sodomy with a minor. First, Judge Kaleb Cockrum reduced Sergio Madrone's bail. Then, Judge Cockrum granted Sergio Madrone supervised release. Sergio Madrone's mother Amber Madrone was at the OR bail hearing. The last update I did on that 2024 case was on 1/22/25 about a pre plea diversion. There was yet another continuance to 2/19/25 for setting of preliminary hearing and receipt of PC1001.20 report.
Today, in the appeal filed by Citizens for a Better Eureka against the ruling and loss in one of their lawsuits against City of Eureka, the latest notification is that oral rgument waived by: (no response - 10 day notice). I reached out to City of Eureka attorney Autumn Luna for more details. I no longer contact CBE attorney Mr. Bradley Johnson since he does not respond. CBE has a spokesperson and can send a statement.
Convicted felon Leigh Ann Holguin who has at least two aliases listed in her 2025 case with three felonies and one misdemeanor was arrested yesterday by Eureka Police Department on a warrant issued on 1/28/25. The original complaint was filed on 1/21/25 and amended on 2/4/25. The complaint does not list the store. Her co-defendant is Adam Bryce Rapp.
A search for Holguin in Humboldt Superior Court comes up with 25 cases with most of them being property offenses and that includes the 2025 case. She has one 2024 case still open.
Her arraignment was scheduled on 2/28/25. That date may change with her custody status.
This case is a perfect example of California's failure to prosecute and have career criminals face consequences. California Governor Gavin Newsom and the soft on crime legislators solution to waste money on retail theft grants for prosecutors instead of holding people accountable for crimes is the problem. The same funds could go towards rehabilitation of people wanting to change; housing people and lowering costs for Californians.
It had been so peaceful without trolls. I am not going to apologize for my words or response. No one gets to misuse an email for news tips, harass me, email me late at night; especially from a some impotent keyboard loser who should deal with the misdirected hate and anger. told this troll I would be posting the email because in my experience with these Humboldt and California trolls; it is the only way to get them to stop wasting my time which hampers my ability to work and make a living.
You can read the response or not; it is only directed at the few people who need to hear it.
Two federal judges, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour and U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman have already issued preliminary injunctions against President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement a few minutes ago before tomorrow's hearing on another motion by several states for a preliminary injunction in its challenge to President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. I have included 4 pages of the motion in this post.
I did a post on January 21 which mentioned the ACLU, California, New York and 20 other states filing lawsuits against the executive order on birthright citizenship.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/01/in-addition-to-aclu-ca-attorney-general.html?m=1
I contacted Portland Police PIO Mike Benner to ask whether Merv George Jr.'s was arrested or cited on February 3 and the alleged charge.
Mr. Benner's response was to send the press release they sent out and I included in yesterday's post.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/02/merv-george-jrs-name-on-list-of-30.html?m=1
I have highlighted the relevant portions. Portland Police confirm Merv George Jr was "either arrested or cited for commercial sexual solicitation or unlawful prostitution procurement activities."
Crickets from the local media, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and former Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg who come up on Facebook search in connection to George, Jr.
Other local media reported on former Fortuna Councilmember Kris Mobley but not Merv George, Jr. I added the Mobley indictment update to the January 29 post.
In my previous post on Dauwin Poe, I added charges for a new 2025 case with two co-defendants. One of those cohorts is Joseph Lenhart. I did this post on him in 2019.
.https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/02/two-mckinleyville-residents-arrested.html?m=1
HCSO issued a press release on that arrest today which I have added to this post. Poe has already been arraigned on the HCSO arrest. Preliminary hearing is on 2/25/25.
EPD just sent out a press release about Poe being the suspect in a December 2024 shooting. Looks like Poe is adding yet another 2025 case with attempted murder and assault.
With so many cases and charges racking up and career criminals as co-defendants, Poe better wake up because the company he keeps has consequences. He should be honest with his attorney, Ms. Andrea Sullivan, consider taking early responsibility and flipping on a co-defendant. It maybe too late for him because I am assuming his co-defendants have probably reached out to the DA's office already.
Some career criminals know how to work the system and the DA's office will take a deal if it works for the prosecution. That is the reality I have observed covering Humboldt courts and the criminal justice system for 11 years. Search frequent DA informant Quentin Williams on my blog. He should write a book titled, "The Art of the plea deal."
Retired Judge Wilson read the arraignment on information and every current charge. Judge Wilson is familiar with Brewer Hearst criminal history including his juvenile case. Judge Wilson said Brewer-Hearst is a convicted felon and the possession of firearm charge, his priors which include the same charge for a different firearm. Judge Wilson mentioned Brewer-Hearst's involuntary manslaughter conviction for the death of Taevonne Latimer.
Ms. Andrea Sullivan asked for a bail reduction since Brewer-Hearst was not held to answer on Count 5. I covered this in my post of the preliminary hearing. Deputy District Attorney had indicated he was going to ask for a no bail hold.
Yesterday, I did a post a memo by Attorney General Pam Bondi, federal funding and "sanctuary jurisdictions."
I contacted three local officials and EPD Chief Brian Stephens. I only heard back from Second District Supervisor and Humboldt Board Chair Supervisor Bushnell.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/02/ag-pam-bondi-memo-issued-today-day.html?m=1
Supervisor Bushnell:
"The federal situation continues to evolve rapidly. We are carefully evaluating the potential impacts of this. It is important to note that federal funding makes up about one-third of the county’s budget – well over $100 million in services that directly support people, businesses and non-profits in Humboldt County."
"A disruption in this funding, even temporarily, could hinder our ability to deliver critical services and pay local businesses and non-profit service providers, as many of our contracts are dependent on federal funding."
"However, we will continue to gather information and await further details to gain a deeper understanding of how this will be felt in Humboldt. That said, we are deeply concerned about how this could affect working families and those experiencing poverty in our community. We want to assure our staff and the community that while we navigate these matters the county will remain committed to upholding its values."
I have reached out to the Humboldt County Board Chair Michelle Bushnell and Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal for comment and local impact. I cced Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo and Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens.
Supervisor Bushnell was the only one to respond to me today.
AG Bondi also reinstated the federal death penalty. According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration is considering deputizing state and local law enforcement to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants at traffic stops and other locals.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has charged the owner and an employee of Rose Garden Residential Care Home with Medi Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse.
AG Bonta issued a press release today which is posted below. "The victim, an 88-year-old dementia patient, was discovered deceased after departing from Rose Garden. The investigation revealed that the staff member responsible for his care fell asleep and was unaware of his absence. Dressed only in a t-shirt and diaper, the victim wandered .4 miles away from Rose Garden and died due to cold exposure. "
These two Facebook posts from 2/4/25 are about arrests and citations by Portland police in a human trafficking investigation and include the name Mervin George, Jr. I have the exact complete list below so I cropped the screenshots above.
Yet another example of the idiotic Ninth Circuit ruling which has caused law enforcement agencies to stop issuing booking photos making it harder to report on court and crime and for media to verify identity. Unlike Humboldt agencies, the Oregon law enforcement online inmate search and jail information is pitiful.
At 11:21 p.m. yesterday, I received an email with a link to a Fox 12 article. The email subject was "Double Standards" with no explaination. The last name of the person who sent me the email is well known name in Hoopa.
Nothing was sent to me except a link to an article and two screenshots.
Yesterday, child abduction suspect Peter Thompson's jury trial was supposed to start; instead he entered a plea and was sentenced by Judge Cockrum.
I did a post on convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's retrial for Counts 1 to 5 last week. He was convicted on Count 6 and jurors will hear about that prior conviction. That count pertained to Jane Doe 2. Sentencing on Count 6 is trailing.
There is some sanitizing language about that conviction and rulings on other key motions and you can read those details in court minutes which are in last week's post.
Yesterday, there was a stipulation regarding the 2024 conviction. After opening statements, Jane Doe 1 started her testimony.
In December, I did this post about a lawsuit filed by Sherman Landry against United Parcel Service.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/lawsuit-filed-against-ups-center-in.html?m=1
Commissioner Sarah Kaber took the matter under submission. She issued her ruling on 1/31/25. It is a two page ruling you can read for yourself. Landry lost and the judgement was in favor of the people he sued. The entry of judgement has not been filled out and I checked a few times and again today so I have no other details to add.
I had heard about new ownership and management of Eureka Central Residence on 333 E street & Hillsdale apartments on 1140 E street and contacted the manager who put me in touch with new owner. I met with Mr. Anil Dwivedi. He is a successful business owner well known in the Los Angeles area and he is frequently in Eureka and expanding his business here.
While I was outside both places, I chatted with happy tenants. I have been in Eureka Central Residence years ago to help out an acquaintance's son. It is cleaner now and smells better. I have also heard positive feedback on both places from vendors and contractors.
There was a social media post with unsubstantiated rumors. I saw what the building looks now myself on more than one occasion. Besides my own observations, I did research on my own which includes court records.
I don't give credence to anon social media posts with an agenda. For now, I am not going to dignify any unverified smear tactics or unsubtantiated claims. I am still investigating and may do a follow up post.
HCSO sent out this press release. The full name of the hotel is Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn and I confirmed with hotel management that their employee called.
I did some follow up on my own and there was brief contact between EPD and Marian Robinson before she walked off.
HCSO Press Release:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to locate missing person Marian Robinson, 22, of Scotia. Marian is believed to be missing under unknown circumstances.
Marian was reported missing by a family member on Feb. 3 at about 6:20 p.m. after she failed to return from Loleta. She was last seen on Jan. 29 by an employee at the Humboldt Bay Inn, who contacted the Eureka Police Department for a welfare check on her, but Marian left the area northbound on foot before law enforcement arrived.
A Feather Alert was requested by HCSO and approved by the California Highway Patrol. Marian is described as a native American female, 5’ 2”, weighing 110 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She is known by family to often wear a hoodie and leggings. She is an affiliated tribal member with the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria.
On January 31, 2025 at approximately 7:40 PM a Eureka Police Department Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and making unsafe lane changes while traveling eastbound on 4th street. The driver was identified as 53-year-old David Silva from Trinidad. A records check of Silva revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. Silva was taken into custody on his outstanding warrants without incident.
On February 3, 2025, around 11:15 P.M. units from the Arcata Fire District, Blue Lake Fire Department, Humboldt Bay Fire, Samoa Fire Department, and Cal Fire were dispatched to a reported structure fire at a multi-family residential complex in the 2500 Block of Chestnut Place in Arcata. The initial dispatch reported that there was a possibility of subjects trapped in a multi-unit apartment building.
I was the first person to post on Rio Dell Times winning against Chris Hamer and as expected Steve & Sharon Wolff prevailed in appeal. Mr. Paul Boylan represented Rio Dell Times.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/chris-hamer-ordered-to-pay-rio-dell.html?m=1
I was the only one to report on the related lawsuit in 2022.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/01/an-alzheimer-patient-judge-timothy.html?m=1
The Wolff's sent out a press release today. Two days later, nothing in local media. The Wolffs thanked me once again for publishing this development.
I was the first to report in December 2024 from live court coverage that the People are seeking life sentences for Brandon Widmark and Jesse Widmark.
Gary James Puls Rider was arrested after midnight today by Arcata Police Department for PC 207(a) kidnapping and PC 273.5(a) corporal injury to a spouse more commonly known as domestic violence.
On Jan. 25, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were notified that a white male subject was observed on security surveillance vandalizing several patrol cars and the correctional facility building with a black paint pen. Deputies immediately searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, who is believed to be a white male adult in his 30s. He was last seen on Jan. 25 wearing a gray hoodie with blue jeans, and a backpack, walking northbound on 4th St.
This case is still under investigation.
