If Daniel Epperson made the Friday FB post after Judge Steward's ruling the same day, the DA should investigate and court should address it at his next hearing, Deputy DA Watson should have requested remand

 

(previous booking photo)

On 5/15/26, in the afternoon, Daniel Epperson  preliminary hearing in his 2025 case proceeded as scheduled.

Epperson looks nothing like his previous booking photo. He is skinnier, with long hair to his shoulders and less on his face.

He looked at me in court, saw me outside court but said nothing. I was busy and not around him except for a few seconds.

I was the only one in the courtroom besides the court bailiff, court staff, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward, Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian and Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson.

Epperson is out of custody and was dressed in a black suit. Epperson is charged in his 2025 case with Count 1 PC 69; alleged victims Matthew Pecsok and Efrain Sanchez. Count 2 PC 243 (b) battery on a peace officer; alleged victim Pecsok.

After testimony from Arcata Police Department and videos, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward cited CALCRIM code 2645 and 945 and held Epperson to answer on both charged. Judge Steward denied defense 17 (b)  motion to reduce Count 1 to a misdemeanor.

"While Mr. Epperson has limited criminal history, he was on probation for a DUI at the time of this offense and he may have been under the influence," said Judge Steward. "He was on probation and is supposed to obey the law."

"Ms. Watson referred to the charges for which he is on pre trial mental health diversion as a hate crime. Now, Mr. Epperson has a case of resisting an officer. The number of cases Mr. Epperson has in front of the Court, I am going to deny the 17 (b) motion."

Arraignment on information is May 29.

His 2026 case and 2024 cases are trailing. His violation of probation in his 2023 case is trailing. This information and the 2025 preliminary hearing being held on Friday was reported in my previous post. Links have been provided to all previous coverage and include charges for all his cases.

I have covered Epperson regularly for years since he was arrested in 2024. I have provided links to previous coverage for new readers. Epperson was granted mental health diversion in the 2024 case and the alleged victims in that case are are Lee Ulansey and Joshua Ulansey. I was the first one to report that relevant fact. Until I did and even after I did; only some other local media did brief one time coverage on that case.

Ms. Watson did not request remand. She should have. A regular reader alerted me to Epperson's Facebook account. His friends include Brian Mitchell and Luna. Only I covered Mitchell's arrests and criminal cases and only I have covered Luna's arrest. 

 **I have included Epperson's Facebook photo which is not current. It has some vulgar language as does a post I have included from Friday which was the day of his preliminary hearing. Don't know when he posted on Friday but does not look like Epperson is fazed that he has four current open criminal cases. I took the screenshot on Saturday evening. The photo and quote are provided in context of his previous texts in the case involving the Ulanseys. I did not include all his recent FB posts because my job is not DA Investigator or law enforcement. **

I have forwarded my post to the DA. For information but for the safety of the public and for my protection. Deputy DA Watson failed to protect the public by not requesting remand.

If Epperson or any of his buddies retaliate or initiate unwanted contact, including via email or phone, I will contact the authorities and the DA. This has happened with others including a recent email but given Epperson is out of custody, has a 2026 case for violating a protective order and people he choses to associate with; my concerns are justified.

Related post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/05/root-birimisa-briyan-marquardt-clayton.html?m=1

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/04/another-repeat-offender-failed-mental.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/07/so-much-for-mental-health-diversion.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/01/hate-crimes-suspect-daniel-epperson-and.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/ruling-next-month-whether-hate-crime.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/10/lee-ulansey-in-court-for-criminal-case.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/08/defense-wants-mental-health-diversion.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/07/lee-ulansey-whining-when-other-victims.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/06/daniel-epperson-sent-graphic-anti.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/06/610-cr2400802-daniel-epperson-tc-617-jt.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/criminal-threats-and-hate-crimes.html?m=1#more

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-alleged-victims-in-daniel-eppersons.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/my-post-on-eppersons-arrest-this.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/daniel-epperson-arrested-on-ramey.html?m=1