Following this trial because the prosecutor is Trent Timm and curious about the verdict based on my observations about the jurors

 

(HCDTF)

(HCDTF)

The jury in Courtroom 1 started deliberations on 4/13 around 3:40 p.m. It took them less than 24 hours to reach a verdict. There were two deliberations yesterday. One juror excused after the initial verdict and replaced with an alternate juror. I have included court minutes from 4/14/26 which have details on the verdict which was guilty on most charges. Sentencing is on 5/7/26.

It is not a case I  followed but I was interested in the verdict. For two reasons: 

I saw the jurors every day for weeks.The prosecutor is Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm. I have covered several trials he has successfully prosecuted since he started at the Humboldt County DA's office. He is one of the few Deputy DAs still here since I have been covering Humboldt Superior Court for 12 plus years. Mr. Timm's last two assignments were mostly retail theft and drug cases.

There are lot of retail theft and drug arrests in Humboldt County. With all the other cases and crimes and due to penalties in California for certain crimes; I rarely follow the cases Mr. Timm prosecutes these days but he will always be one of the few prosecutors I prefer to cover and the Humboldt County DA's office is very lucky to still have him on the team.

CR2502765A is the case for  Francisco HerreraMancillas represented by Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian. CR2502765B is the case for Jesus Alder PalaciosDiaz represented by Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims.

CR2502338 is another case for HerreraMancillas which is trailing.

The trial was assigned to Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum.

4:05 p.m: Just saw Mr. Timm walking to Courtroom 1. Jurors started walking out of the building at 4:22. Some stayed and talked with their attorneys. I heard one of the jurors tell Mr. Timm that it was close on the other counts. They shook Mr.Timm's hand and thanked him. 

I have included the 2025 HCDTF press release about their arrest.

 

4/15/26: Trial confirmed for 4/27. 

HCDTF Press Release:

On November 12th, 2025, The Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) served a multi-location search warrant for Fransico Javier Herrera-Mancillas (31 years old from Arcata) and Jesus Diaz Palacios (44 years old from Sonora, Mexico) and their associated residences located in the 2000 block of Mad River Road in Arcata, 1500 block of Spear Avenue in Arcata and the 4900 block of Monterey Drive, in Arcata. During the months of October and November 2025, HCDTF investigated an Arcata based drug trafficking organization in which they identified Herrera-Mancillas and Palacios as being the leaders. 

Upon service of the search warrants, Agents located over 2 and a half pounds of cocaine, over 2 ounces of methamphetamine and $12,304.00 in US currency. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, HCDTF booked Herrera-Mancillas into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for the following charges:

HS 11351 – Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales

HS 11352(a) – Transportation of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales

HS 11378 – Possession of a narcotic for the purpose of sales

At the conclusion of the investigation, HCDTF booked Palacios into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for the following charges:

HS 11351 - Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales

HS 11352(a) - Transportation of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales

PC 182(a)(1) - Conspiracy