Sheriff Honsal opposes release of sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office just issued a press release, a letter from Sheriff William Honsal and a letter sent to Humboldt County Chief DA Investigator Kyla Baxley stating opposition to the release of sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh to Humboldt County. It was ordered by Judge Kaleb Cockrum.

This is a very old court case filed in 1998. His SVP hearing was in 2016. The Deputy DA for that case is now the current DA; Ms. Stacey Eads. Liberty Health is the same program that housed SVP Joshua Cooley. I have added some of the court documents from Stobaugh's case.

At 2:01, HCSO sent out this correction. "Good afternoon, I was contacted by the courts and was asked if we could change the email address referenced in Sheriff's Honsal's letter. If you can, please change (redacted)

At 2:24 p.m. Humboldt Superior Court sent out this press release, 2:24 p.m. "In response to the press release issued by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) dated   April 15, 2025, regarding People v. Stobaugh, the Court cannot receive ex parte communication.  This includes the email provided in the press release, by regular post, or any other method.  Court proceedings must be conducted in courtrooms open to the public, and this case is no exception.  Ex Parte communication is prohibited per the California Code of Judicial Ethics. "

At 3:33 p.m.: Sheriff Honsal issued another press release. What is included in this press release should have been the procedure in the first place. I was just talking about this with someone at the courthouse. A court clerk's email which is not even the judge's email, then another court email address which is not available to public should have never been released. HCSO should have worked with the DA to release a joint statement. On an extremely busy day, this post has to be updated four times. 

Asking the media to remove email addresses when posts may have been shared by the public that media has no control over is not a problem media created but HCSO wants media to redact it hours later. This was a rushed press release that Sheriff Honsal needs to take responsibility for and not throw other HCSO staff under the bus  The damage is done. The court clerk and the other email is out there on the internet and was for hours. If media had made this "mistake", we would get harangued by the local social media keyboard warriors who never do anything but sit behind their screens. Different standard for Sheriff Billy? Sheriff Honsal knows the procedure. It was the same for sexually violent predator Joshua Cooley. 

Based on my coverage of the Joshua Cooley opposition where I attended every single hearing because these are confidential, the other media won't show up or lose interest when the hearings get continued for months. The outraged keyboard warriors won't show up. If you don't want this SVP in your community, show up at the hearings instead of sitting on your keyboards and typing on your screens being outraged and complaining.

Exclusive detail and other news reported here first  is that Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm will appear at this public hearing. That is good news for the survivors. Stobaugh was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Due to custody credits, he did not serve that time. 

Sheriff Honsal nth communication of the day at 3:33 p.m.:

"Good Afternoon,

Based on feedback from the Superior Court, they have requested that I send out the following update:

The Superior Court does not want to receive any direct communication from the public regarding Mr. Stobaugh’s potential relocation to Humboldt County.

Initially, a court supervisor had asked that public feedback be sent to the following email address: (redacted). However, this is a confidential address, and the court now requests that it be removed from all media releases and public communications.  The do not wany any communication sent to that email address. 

All public feedback should instead be directed to the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of State Hospitals, or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Stacey Eads has agreed to collect all public comments and formally submit them to the court for filing.

Additionally, members of the public are welcome to attend the court hearing on May 7 to voice their opposition in person.

Thank you, "

HCSO Press Release (original):

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal has issued a public open letter voicing strong opposition to the proposed release of convicted serial rapist and sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh into the community of Manila.

On April 3, 2025, the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) notified Sheriff Honsal and the Humboldt County District Attorney, Stacy Eads, of its intent to place Stobaugh at 2171 Peninsula Drive in Manila. This follows a December 2023 court order by Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum granting Stobaugh conditional release from DSH Coalinga back into Humboldt County, despite strong objections from the District Attorney’s Office.

“Let me be clear: I strongly oppose placing this sexually sadistic predator anywhere in our county,” said Sheriff Honsal. “His crimes were violent, premeditated, and deeply disturbing. Returning him to a residential neighborhood poses a clear and unacceptable threat to public safety”.

Stobaugh’s criminal history includes multiple brutal rapes, home invasions, and assaults in Humboldt County between 1981 and 1988, often involving weapons and extreme violence. Medical experts have diagnosed him as a sexual sadist with a high risk of reoffending.

A public hearing on the proposed residence will be held:

Date: May 7, 2025

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Location: Courtroom One, Humboldt County Superior Court, 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA

Sheriff Honsal urges all Humboldt County residents to voice their concerns by submitting written opposition to the contacts listed below:

Liberty Healthcare SVP CONREP Program: LIBERTYSVPCONREP@LibertyHealth.com Judge Christopher Wilson, Humboldt Superior Court: (redacted but the email was not even the judge but a court clerk's email) Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: HSO@co.humboldt.ca.us Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office: districtattorney@co.humboldt.ca.us

“This is not about politics. It’s about the safety and peace of mind of every resident in Humboldt County,” Honsal emphasized. “We must stand united to protect our community.”

Court documents: