James LaBranche arrested for attempted murder; Blake Reagan for DUI, these are just two of the arrests from yesterday

 

There were a lot of arrests yesterday. Some new, some repeat offenders I have covered.

James Jay LaBranche was arrested this morning on a Ramey warrant for PC 664/187(a) attempted murder and PC 273.5(a) domestic violence. LaBranche has has 2023 conviction domestic violence with other charges dismissed in a plea; 2015 DUI conviction, 2009 DUI conviction.

HCSO issued a press release on LaBranche's arrest this morning at 9:53 a.m. which has been added to the post. Repeat offender LaBranche wasted HCSO and three police department resources.

Blake Reagan was arrested by CHP yesterday for VC23152(a) DUI. He was released on O.R. Since I have no booking photo to compare to; I can't comment if this is the Blake Reagan I and others maybe thinking of so hold off on jumping to conclusions.

Carlos Ariel Martinez-Gutierrez arrested yesterday for two counts of PC 1203. 2 (a) probation violation. I have covered Martinez-Gutierrez.

Nikita Ann Gorman arrested on HCSO on a bench warrant for PC 148.9(a) giving false identification to law enforcement and PC 508 with embezzlement from employer. 

The embezzlment charge is from a 2024 case filed on 12/4/23. Her employer is Big 5 Sporting Goods. Gorman is represented by Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps. Failed to appear on 4/30/25, bench warrant was held by Humboldt Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Failed to appear again on 8/13/25, bench warrant was issued by Judge Lawrence Killoran. Twice Pepper Lopez from Yurok Wellness Court has appeared in court. Clearly, the program isn't working. The false identification charge is from a 2021 case. Arresting agency US Parks Service. Same dates for failure to appear. She also has a third open traffic case for speeding and no proof of insurance. Arresting agency is CHP.

There are a lot of criminals in Humboldt and I don't know yet if I will cover any of these cases in detail and from start to finish. Too many repeat offenders and new criminals and takes months in some cases to file charges and then years for the case to go through the system. If you have an interest in a particular case, subscribe or write a check for customized updates. 

Checking the booking photos online isn't available because once again, VInelink is down. Thankfully, when I contacted HCSO Correctional Captain Duane Christian, he is on tip of the issue and working to get it fixed.

The other media don't care about victims or the public; I do because victims rely on Vinelink to work. The elected officials who should be thanking our rank and file are too busy cutting services instead of doing anything helpful and their jobs to create revenue. 

Crappy wifi signal, old computers in County offices, broken elevators , just the same old bs from County management and Supervisors who whine about money but provide no details where the revenue is going or adjust their bloated salaries. The only way Humboldt is going to change is with a California DOGE and Humboldt DOGE.

HCSO Press Release:

On Jan. 8, 2026, at approximately 7:33 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence located on Van Ness Ave. in Ferndale following the report of a stabbing. While en route, deputies were advised that the suspect had physically attacked his girlfriend and stabbed her.  

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 48-year-old female victim, who reported her boyfriend, identified as 42-year-old James Jay Labranche of Ferndale, physically assaulted her inside the residence and stabbed her before she was able to flee outside.   

Deputies attempted to contact Labranche, who remained inside the residence, issuing commands for him to exit.  After several hours without response, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested and responded to the scene to assist in the apprehension of Labranche. 

Deputies obtained a Ramey arrest warrant and search warrant for the residence.  After Labranche failed to respond to the SWAT team’s commands, a less -lethal diversionary device was deployed into the residence, and he was safely taken into custody. 

Emergency medical services responded to the scene, but the victim’s injuries were determined to be non-life threatening, and she did not require any further medical treatment.

Labranche was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on the following charges:

PC 273.5(a) – Inflict corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant/dating relationship

PC 664/187 - Attempted murder

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Ferndale Police Department, Rio Dell Police Department, and Eureka Police Department for their assistance with this case.