HCSO POP team with assistance from APD arrests 11 for drug charges and crimes against elderly people

Whiski Moran, one of the 11 arrested, was just at the Humboldt County Courthouse checking on a court date for a prior case. Humboldt Superior Court Operations Manager Kelly Nyberg often assists people on the second floor who cannot find their name on the calendar while she is doing multiple other duties making sure the courts are functioning and last minute changes due to judge disqualifications. Whiski was already released by the jail and is back on the streets.

HCSO Press Release:

On 04/30/2026, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Problem Oriented Policing Team (POP) served a search warrant in the 2500 block of Baldwin Street in Arcata, as a part of a month-long investigation into a drug house. This investigation began after receiving numerous community complaints regarding suspicious drug activity at the residence.  

Upon arrival at the residence, deputies located fourteen (14) individuals. Two of these individuals were found to be victims of elder neglect and were provided resources through Adult Protective Services.

 

As a result of this investigation, it was determined that eleven (11) subjects, located on scene, were in violation of a litany of drug-related charges as well as crimes against elderly people. The following people were arrested:

 

• Jerry Bachus, age 49 of McKinleyville. Booked on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.
• Cecil Elliott, age 48 of Arcata. Booked on felony warrant & H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house
• Ancheri Johnston, age 35 of Arcata. Booked on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.
• Thomas Jordan, age 48 of Arcata. Booked on PC 368(b)(1), felony elder abuse; H&S 11366, maintaining a drug house.
• Christopher Lenahan, age 51 of McKinleyville. Booked on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.
• Whiski Moran, age 48 of McKinleyville. Booked on misdemeanor warrant & H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.
• Patrica Young, age 47 of McKinleyville. Booked on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house; H&S 11377, possession of methamphetamine.
• Dustin Cantrell, age 26 of Arcata. Cited on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.
• Jonathan Smart, age 47 of Arcata. Cited on H&S 11365(a), visiting a drug house.   
• Jamey Wilson, age 62 of Arcata. Cited on H&S 11366, maintaining a drug house.
• Shelly Wilson, age 69 of Arcata. Cited on H&S 11365, maintaining a drug house.  

 

During the service of the warrants, deputies seized drug paraphernalia, scales, and user amounts of methamphetamine.

 

HCSO would like to extend a thank you to the Arcata Police Department for their assistance in this operation.