"Varsha Patel, 57, of Chino Hills, California, was sentenced on Feb. 4, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to five years of probation, forfeiture of the Royal Inn motel, forfeiture of $744,000, and a $5,000 fine. Patel previously pleaded guilty to Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises."
Sage Alexander is leaving Times Standard and is headed to Lost Coast Outpost. He isn't the only former TS staffer to head to LOCO. Ryan Burns did the same with a stop at the North Coast Journal.
Last Thursday's Department of Justice press release on Prophetess Kathleen Klein was reported by CBS News and some local Fox news stations the same day. Fox News posted about it this morning.
HCSO assisted Hoopa Tribal Police yesterday last night on a call regarding "an armed robbery that occurred at the Coast Central Credit Union located at 12700 State Highway 96 in Hoopa." Surveillance is being collected & reviewed, no suspect in custody. HCSO just issued a press release with initial details.
20 year old Felix Yancy Arbaugh was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 664/187(a) attempted murder. reached out to HCSO for more information.
11:03: A press release will be issued in a few minutes which I will add to the post. 11:05 Alleged victim is Arbaugh's 47 year old uncle.
CBS47 and KSEE24 reported this initially. It was then picked up by some other California media such as the San Francisco Chronicle. The New York Post did a summary which I have included in the post.
"A group of California high schoolers has reportedly been disciplined after they lined up on the bleachers last week wearing shirts that spelled out a homophobic slur — a shocking act that has rocked the district. The students had letters on their tees for a senior class photo inside the gym and had initially posed for a picture that spelled out, “Always Legit, Class of 2026,” Visalia Unified School District spokesperson Cristina Gutierrez told the San Francisco Chronicle. The 10 troublemakers from Redwood High School, located southeast of Fresno, including several student government leaders, smiled with their arms wrapped around one another and posed for a photo with white T-shirts that spelled out “F—-t,” according to an image obtained by YourCentralValley.com.
But they pulled off the disturbing stunt afterward, using the “6” for the “g” in the slur.
School officials caught wind of the slur after the students’ photo started circulating on social media. "
On February 4, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Draper's attorneys filed an answer to the formal charges against him by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.
These are two excerpts from Page 1 and 2. I guess we have the answer why he is running for re-election.
"I now have the privilege of standing for one last 6-year term, and I intend to do so, because I have not been able to complete the changes in how our Court operates that I believe are necessary to effectively serve the people of Los Angeles County.
"I appreciate the opportunity to file this Answer under oath and look forward to a public proceeding out of the darkness with room for all to attend who wish to do so in which the truth can be publicly determined and made known."
I have included pages 1, 2, 11 and the proof of service. You can read the entire document on the CJP website.
On February 12, I reported on Tyus Francis' arrest.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/tyus-francis-arrested-for-forcible.html?m=1
Francis has a family law case in which his wife has requested a restraining order. No criminal charges had been filed for Francis' 2/11 arrest yet. Since he has posted bond, the DA has time.
The wife is represented by local family law attorney Joan Gallegos. It was horrific to read the request for restraining order.
**From this point on, there are court records of alleged crimes, some graphic details so it is your choice to continue. I have not included all documents or all photos.
Usually, just the above would be enough. Call it a hunch based on experience in Humboldt and the attacks that intensify when there is certain coverage. The rest is posted in case, certain people use this post for their agendas, vendettas unrelated to this case but just to waste my time and in an effort to intimidate or malign me.
I have made a choice to redact, crop and protect the identity of the victim who I am pretty sure is the alleged victim in the 2/11 arrest. The family law case is relevant to any potential criminal charges. This is a small community and many people already know who the wife is and the records in the family law case are public.
I report on court cases and have covered many cases that resulted in the prosecution of those who prey on children and women survivors. Many of these women have thanked me. I do not need the overzealous pc non profit and any other kumbaya crowd including a certain female investigator with a personal vendetta to lecture or try and attack me. When they put their life and finances and take risks to do what I do every day and not on the taxpayer dime; maybe they can weigh in. When they cover a former judge in real time who was later disciplined by the CJP and ousted by the voters; they get a say. When they are repeatedly threatened and the Humboldt justice system fails to protect them despite law enforcement and the Humboldt DA doing everything; then they get to give their useless 1 cent.
Reading what the alleged victim went through Francis should be in jail; not running around on the streets. California enables and has no consequences because of weak laws and diversion programs for criminals that are a joke.
My coverage supports those in the DA's office who work tirelessly to protect women, children and other victims. One of the so called women's group knows their behavior in court almost jeopardized the prosecution of a case. I havent identified the investigator or the women's group. They know who they are.
I have cropped one page because it lists the minor children. In the declaration of the alleged victim, again I cropped the part where date of birth and names of minor children are listed. I have also cropped out the family case law number although anyone can use e court to get that information and based on my observations when I check cases, there are plenty of nosy people hanging out at the public computers who do not follow the same standards media does and is expected to and most of these are family law parties.
Even though the request for restraining order lists the wife's name, I have cropped out that identifying information. One cropped page has an incident which listed 2/12/26 as the date and it was at the wife's attorney's office.
Ryan Daniel Robertson arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday on a Ramey warrant from the DA for PC 664/288 (a) attempted lewd acts on a minor, PC 288.4(a)(2) arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd acts, PC288.3(a) contacting a minor with intent to commit certain crimes and PC 288.2(a)(2) sending harmful material to seduce a minor.
Robertson has bail forfeiture and failure to pay in an October 2025 APD traffic case; a conviction in 2020 with a plea to the burglary charge; a 2019 DUI conviction; a 2019 probation violation, and a 2019 Fortuna Police traffic case bail forfeiture & failure to pay.
I had been paying attention to this trial which concluded this Tuesday in Humboldt Superior Court. Mr. Russell Frandsen represents plaintiff Monica Kamin. I have already contacted him and will be doing a follow up post. I have already spoken with lawyers from LA and thank the lawyer who helped me in reaching out to Mr. Frandsen.
Mr. David Carman represents Brett Holt. The case is Kamin vs to8 LLC. Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge John Feeney was assigned to the trial after both Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning & Humboldt Superior Court Judge April Van Dyke were disqualified,
This is a complex case and a transfer from Orange County. There was a civil appeal before the 2026 trial. Several documents are not available in Humboldt e court. Court minutes are not available from this week including the verdict are not available. I have added a February 9, 2026 document filed by Mr. Frandsen.
Attorney Mark Zaid: "We filed new lawsuit today in DC against FBI & Director Patel for termination of long-standing 18+ year employee allegedly because of social media post(s) in violation of 1st Amendment. This is yet another improper firing under Article II of the US Constitution."
The case is Jablonski v. Patel et al, Civil Action No. 26-00449 (D.D.C.)
Humboldt Made just issued a press release to support local businesses. My only addition to Rosa Dixon's reasons is that this is a traditionally slow time for all businesses in Humboldt; not just the hospitality industry.
Local businesses should also do their part by offering incentives. The uber wealthy of Humboldt may have money to spend; most of us don't thanks to the dwindling economy of Humboldt and not everyone gets paid via grants.
Most businesses should take a lesson from Scrapper's Edge owner Sondra Kirtley. For 22 years, people support her all year around because of her marketing but also because she treats all her customers well and is innovative in incentives to support the business and stays open most of the time except for minimal holidays when everything is closed.
Courts are open in other California counties. The EDD office is open in Eureka. Only Humboldt County and Humboldt courts took today off, in addition to President's Day which is a holiday.
First of all a shout out to Eureka Police Department, dispatch, CSET who regularly partrol the area but most of all to EPD Officer Mark Sheldon who promptly responded to my call to the non emergency number, checked for this guy and came and spoke to me. I gave him the picture I took. He again went and looked for this guy who had disappeared. I told dispatch that I was going to a local business nearby and wait for EPD. While dispatch & officers do know me and by name, I have seen them be just as responsive to all calls.
On my day off, around 11:10, all I wanted to do was errands, get groceries and have a few minutes of peace while I am still working on my day off from court. This guy on 4th and K wearing a mask mumbled something, I ignored him. He started following me, said something again including a request for something. He wouldn't leave me alone, started mouthing off. I told him to back off, he wouldn't, threatened me, I said I would call EPD. He still kept coming at me and following me, even after I took a photo and called dispatch. I am not going to go into the details of the threats.
This has been a problem for years and ECC knows it; they just continue to ignore residents and business. If you don't live in Eureka, don't comment and try and dictate to Eureka residents how we should feel and live.
EPD does their job but the utter failure of Eureka City Council and the City Manager and their lackadaisical approach to do anything about 4th and 5th streets in Eureka where feces, piss is all over dirty sidewalks. The same losers who hang out on corners, bus stops constantly soliciting and harassing people.
I don't want to hear anything about mental illness, homeless because the people out on the streets I see everyday, openly indulging in drugs, drinking, blasting music on their free cell phones. Some of these people have apartments. They chose to loiter, annoy, beg.
They are belligerent, they take over the gas stations, they are at Starbucks and other businesses on 4th and 5th street sitting their all day into the evening taking up space from paying customers. They are in the post office, in the courthouse, trashing the bathrooms, mouthing off to security.
Eureka may not be as bad as Minneapolis but it is getting there. This enabling and anti any enforcement of basic safety is unfair to productive citizens. The Mayor and 3 Eureka City Councilmembers are up for re-election. I may not like their current opponents but I am going to make my decision based on many factors between now and November. I do hope more people step up for all ECC open positions. Let's have more than two choices and the hold your nose choice of MAGA vs the same old good ole boy and gal left candidates supported by the same arrogant losers who have been in charge and control the local money for decades.
12:19 update: The guy is now at 4th and B by the Coop and again came up to me, yelled slurs, insults and egged me to call EPD. I did. The problem is CA law. Nothing will happen to this guy who has wasted an hour of my time. I know law enforcement, the judges and put up with this bs daily. 12:25 EPD just arrived, it is Officer Clark. Spoke with her.
The guy does not know me, hangs out by the Courthouse and claims he is headed to free meal.
Yesterday, convicted molestor and sexual batterer Jarred Vaughan resolved his 2025 case before preliminary hearing. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran took his plea.
Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer's motion for second amended complaint was granted. Vaughan entered a guilty plea to Counts 3,4,5 and 6. Counts 1,2,7 were dismissed by the People.
Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis is Vaughan's attorney. Sentencing is on 3/10.
27 year old Tyus Donovan Francis was arrested by Yurok Tribal Police yesterday evening and booked for PC 289(d)(1) forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object and PC 261(a)(4) rape of an unconscious person. Francis posted bond.
Yurok Tribal Police Patrol Lt Jamie Barney contacted me after the post, "Just wanted to let you know Yurok Tribal Police currently has an officer on the FTO program with HCSO so the Tyus Francis arrest you posted about was done by our officer while working as a Humboldt Deputy Level 1 Reserve on the FTO program in Humboldt. "
YTP Officer Inong made the Francis arrest.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California just issued a press release about former San Leandro City Council Member Bryan Azevedo pleading guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, accepting bribes and lying to federal investigators.
When I did these two posts on January 28 and 29 on Zephyr Hospitality, access was denied in the lawsuit filed by the City of Eureka.
Yesterday, I decided to check the case again. Court documents are now available. I do not have time right now to summarize or look into why access was denied. If it was on error or if a request to have the case initially be confidential.
You can read the unlawful detainer complaint filed December 2, 2025, the default judgement granted by Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel on 12/26/25, the writ of posession issued on 12/29/25 and the City of Eureka's request to vacate entry of default and judgement filed on January 22, 2026. This is because the City of Eureka received notice of Zephyr's bankruptcy after the judgement. See page 2 of the City of Eureka's motion about why the City had to file this motion.
The City of Eureka's motion is scheduled for a hearing on 2/20/26.
This case is on the agenda under closed session for the next Eureka City Council meeting.
Jayson Rayrusell Mehler was arrested yesterday by HCSO and booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday on an arrest warrant for PC 311.11 (a) (1) possession of child pornography and PC 288.3(a) lewd or lascivious acts with a minor.
From the booking log, it looks like a 2025 case.
I checked court records. An arrest warrant was issued on 1/2/26 by EPD. I have added the charges including both the original complaint and first amended complaint filed by the DA.
No court date; yet.
On February 6, I reported on the arrest of 21 year old alleged molestor Anthony Ramirez. For his prior Humboldt Superior Court history, check my previous post.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/21-year-old-anthony-ramirez-arrested-by.html?m=1
Yesterday, alleged molestor Ramirez was arraigned. He is charged with four felonies and two misdemeanors. Some of the charges filed are different than the booking charges.
The complaint lists three counts of PC 261.5 unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. One of those counts has a special allegation of PC 12022.7 (a) great bodily injury. One count of PC 311.11 (a) possession of child pornography. One count of PC 272 (a) (1) contributing to the delinquency of a minor. One count of PC 381 (c)(b) selling/furnishing nitrous oxide.
A protective order was filed and served in court. Ramirez was booked on a no bail status. Humboldt Judge April Van Dyke set bail at $125,000 and appointed the Public Defender's office. OR bail is on 2/11. Preliminary hearing is on 2/20.
Jury trial has been going on in Courtroom 3 for criminal threat, assault, domestic violence suspect Richard Lyle Sanderson. He has two cases; the other one is for possession of a controlled substance.
I saw Jane Doe 1 leave the courtroom after her testimony and she looked terrified. DA Investigator Greg Hill accompanied her to a conference room.
I also saw one of the jurors for that trial sitting and checking the computers that have the Humboldt court cases. I informed Investigator Hill.
Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward called that male juror in, he was questioned and allowed to remain on the jury. I was busy with other cases and was not in the courtroom when this juror was questioned.
Deputy DA Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for the trial. Deputy Public Defender Ben McLaughlin is Sanderson's attorney.
At the end of the day, Mr. McLaughlin requested a mistrial.
Judge Steward is expected to make a ruling on 2/10/26.
2/10/26: Defense motion for mistrial denied.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California issued a press releases today about Joseph Michael McBee of Oakland who was sentenced to five years in federal prison for robbing a postal carrier.
Richard Tillman pleaded guilty today to arson of a San Jose post office. The press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of Northern California has more details.
Former California correctional lieutenant Matthew Madsen was arrested today on charges of conspiring to smuggle contraband into state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate.
The press release issued this evening from U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California has more details.
This morning, there was a Case Management Conference scheduled in 2/9 in Jane Doe vs Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District et al. This is the first hearing in this case.
Jane Doe is now 22. According to the lawsuit, she was "approximately (7) to (8) years old" and the sexual assaults and abuse took place during the 2009-2010 school year. Jane Doe was enrolled at Hoopa Elementary. Joseph Saint Orozco was employed at Hoopa Elementary and is Jane Doe's abuser.
The lawsuit was filed on August 15, 2025. Jane Doe is represented by Mr. James Warren Lewis, partner at Slater Slater Schulman LLP which is in Beverly Hills.
Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District's attorney is listed as Mr. Brian Duus, attorney at Leone Alberts & Duus APC located in Concord.
Convicted molestor Orozco has no attorney in e court. Orozco conviction is from a 2012 Humboldt Superior Court case. Retired Humboldt Judge Christopher Wilson was assigned to the trial. Former Humboldt DA Paul Gallegos was the prosecutor. Orozco was represented by Mr. Tim Gray.
I have reported previously in 2023 on child abuse cases and Catholic Dioceses in California filing bankruptcy to settle sex abuse lawsuits or facing lawsuits.
On 2/6, I saw a case management conference scheduled in S.B. A vs Doe 1 Diocese on the Humboldt Superior Court calendar.
This lawsuit was filed 3/9/23. The plaintiff SB.A is represented by Herman Law. Some of the filings had Mr. Gregory Garcia listed as attorney. All filings in e court so far are from plaintiff. The proof of service lists Santa Rosa law firm Shapiro, Galvin, Shapiro and Moran as Attorneys for Doe 1 Diocese, Doe 2 school, Doe 3 parish and Does 4 to 25.
The lawsuit alleges "Plaintiff, asa minor, was sexually abused and assaulted by a clergyman." Another member of the parish was present during one of the alleged incidents.
Plaintiff is now an adult. Lawsuit says "over the age of 40"; that was in 2023.
The Santa Rosa Diocese is mentioned in this document and the Sacred Heart Catholic School stating these two defendants have not been served because they filed for bankruptcy and the case is stayed. The January 2026 document was filed by Mr. Justin Felton and Mr. Osvaldo Rocha from Herman Law.
Court minutes from 2/6/26 were not available late Friday. Finally, added on 2/10. Mr. Rocha present for S.B.A. No one present for Doe 1 diocese. Another CMC on 8/10/26.
Few local media have covered Charles Garth, the Yee haw commune in Trinidad and reported on the Humboldt County Board of Supervors and code enforcement.
I have not seen any coverage of the February 2025 lawsuit filed by Eric Kirk on behalf of Charles Garth et al against Mercer Fraser. There was an original.complaint, then a second amended complaint and now, possibly a third amended complaint.
On 2/4/26, Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning sustained Mercer Fraser's demurrer sustained to the second amended complaint with leave to file third amended complaint.
Mercer Fraser is being represented by Ms. Sabrina Barr, attorney with Harrison, Temblador, Hungerford & Guernsey.
I have included the civil case cover sheet, first page of the original complaint and Judge Cannng's ruling signed and filed 2/4/26. I am not wasting my time posting endless complaints for a lawsuit going nowhere.
If you need to know about Garth's Humboldt soap opera you can use google.
I am siding with Mercer Fraser in this case. If you read my blog regularly or look up my prior coverage on Mercer Fraser, that should surprise you. Garth and Eric Kirk will keep wasting the court's time.
Judge Canning just issued his ruling on 2/4/26 on the demurrer to the second amended complaint. Yet, in a filing on January 22, 2026, Eric Kirk refers to waiting on a demurrer on the third amended complaint.
There was a case management conference on 2/6/26. Court minutes were not up late Friday and may not be up for days. Finally entered on 2/10/26. Nothing to add other than attorneys request further CMC which is on 5/11/26.
I reported on Adan Luna's arrest on February 2.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/adan-luna-arrested-for-criminal-threats.html?m=1
Charges for the February arrest were filed by the Humboldt County DA on 2/3/26. One count of PC 459 burglary. Alleged victim Monte Lee Turner. DA filed complaint on 2/3/26. Luna was arraigned on 2/4; Public Defender's Office appointed; bail $55,000; preliminary hearing on 2/18.
On November 16, 2023, at trial confirmation, the Humboldt County District Attorney dismissed a homicide case against convicted felon Matthew Gabriel Susmilch.
Yesterday, HCSO arrested Susmilch on a bench warrant for PC 1551(a) fugitive from justice, PC 273.5(a) corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant and PC 1203.2(a) probation violation.
2/9/26: A bench warrant was issued on 1/26/2024 for probation violation in CR2001247 when Susmilch failed to appear for a domestic violence hearing. The fugitive from justice charge is a no bail warrant from Washington.
2/10/26: Humboldt DA charged Susmilch with one count of PC 1551 (a) fugitive from justice. Today, after the arraignment hearimg, Humboldt Public Defender Luke Brownfield said Susmilch he will be transported back to Washington on his warrant. Susmilch waived extradition. There is a hearing on 2/20 for confirmation of transport.
I covered Susmilch previously in 2018 and 2023.
Saw Humboldt Bay Fire by the jail, as I was walking up, I saw Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal. I asked him training ? He said it was a medical call at the jail.HBF does several a day. At 12:22 HBF is leaving. No one was transported out of the jail and no ambulance.
If you read my blog and have followed my reporting of courts for the past 12 years, you don't need stats because this also applies to California criminals in general.
Governor Newsom's Press Office responded. I have included that tweet. Shortly before 1 p.m. today, Governor Newsom's office issued a press release with stats of their own.
21 year old Anthony Ramirez was arrested yesterday morning by Eureka Police Department on a Ramey warrant for PC 311.11 (a) possession of child pornography, PC 288.3 (a)contacting a minor to commit a felony, PC 261.5(c) unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, PC 647.6(a) annoying or molesting a child, PC 272 contributing to the delinquency of a minor and PC 632 (a) eavesdropping. At booking, it is on a no bail warrant.
This is the same Anthony Ramirez who had an assault case filed in March 2025 which was dismissed in May 2025. The Anthony Ramirez with that same dob also has convictions in five 2024 traffic cases.
I have heard from people who know the Anthony Ramirez arrested yesterday morning and he hangs out both in Fortuna and Eureka.
Federal charges filed against Teamsters Local 63 which is in CA by employee who claims union officials threatened to fire her if she refused to join the union and pay dues.
The National Right to Work Foundation posted a lengthy statement earlier this week about this action against the Teamsters by Veolia Environmental Services worker Alexus Villanueva.