How many of you recognize every single name of arrests yesterday during HCSO saturated enforcement operation?

 

HCSO issued a press release an hour ago on "a saturated enforcement operation in the Hoopa Valley and carried the operations to Blue Lake." 

This was based on a request from the Hoopa Tribe for crime suppression activity on February 25, 2026.

As you read the names of the arrests with arrest warrants, bench warrants and failures to appear; anyone who follows court and crime regularly or checks the daily jail log will recognize these repeat offenders.

This press release shows the failure of California and Humboldt leadership to address the attitude and prevalance of drugs and the consequences of soft on crime California laws.

HCSO Press Release:

Based upon a request from the Hoopa Tribe for crime suppression activity, on Feb. 25, 2026, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office conducted a saturated enforcement operation in the Hoopa Valley and carried the operations to Blue Lake. The Deputies focused on proactive policing efforts and probation compliance checks.

Hoopa Valley Enforcement Activity

During operations in the Hoopa Valley, deputies conducted several traffic stops resulting in arrests for felony and misdemeanor bench warrants, as well as possession of methamphetamine.

The following individuals were arrested during the Hoopa Valley operation:

• Justin Case Sylvia, 27, of Hoopa
  • PC 978.5 – Bench Warrant / Failure to Appear (Misdemeanor)
• Eric Sean Nixon, 27, of Hoopa
  • PC 978.5 – Bench Warrant / Failure to Appear (Felony)
  • PC 978.5 – Bench Warrant / Failure to Appear (Misdemeanor)
• Eric William Phines,37, of Hoopa
  • HS 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance

Blue Lake Enforcement Activity

During the Hoopa operation, deputies learned that probationers they were attempting to locate for compliance checks had traveled to the Blue Lake Casino. Deputies, in coordination with the Blue Lake Tribal Police Department, initiated proactive enforcement efforts in the Blue Lake area.

This enforcement activity resulted in:

• One misdemeanor warrant arrest (cited and released)
• Two drug possession cases
• One parole hold

Deputies also received reports of two suspicious vehicles in the Blue Lake area. One vehicle was located, and deputies attempted a traffic stop, which resulted in a short vehicle pursuit. The driver evaded law enforcement and remains outstanding.

A traffic stop on the second suspicious vehicle resulted in two arrests for narcotics sales, firearm violations, and related offenses.

The following individuals were arrested during the Blue Lake operation:

• Jasper Edward Tripp, 50, of Arcata

PC 978.3 – Bench Warrant / Failure to Appear (Misdemeanor) Cited and released

• Phillip Randall Reed, 36, of Hoopa
  • PC 3000.08 – Violation of Parole
  • HS 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • PC 22510(b) – Carrying a Switchblade Knife on Person
• Halli Lee Pole, 33, of Hoopa
  • HS 11350(a) – Possession of Narcotic Controlled Substance
  • HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • HS 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • PC 1203.2(a) – Violation of Probation
• Madelyn Kay McCovey, 43, of Arcata
  • HS 11378 – Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale
  • HS 11379(a) – Transportation of a Controlled Substance
  • HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • HS 11351 – Possession/Purchase for Sale Narcotic Controlled Substance
• Seeley Lane Spott, 33, of McKinleyville
  • HS 11378 – Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale
  • HS 11379(a) – Transportation of a Controlled Substance
  • HS 11370.1(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed with a Loaded Firearm
  • PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
  • HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • HS 11351 – Possession/Purchase for Sale Narcotic Controlled Substance

Sheriff Honsal is committed to working with the tribes and the various communities to help with the drug epidemic in our county, “The Sheriff’s office has been busy filling their open deputy positions, and we have more deputies out conducting proactive policing.  If you are selling dangerous drugs in our community, you will be targeted and held accountable.” 

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts aimed at improving public safety, ensuring probation and parole compliance, and addressing narcotics-related offenses throughout Humboldt County. The Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the partnership with our tribal councils and tribal police to address criminal activity on tribal land.