"Never have I seen in 30 years of practice this type of histrionics and misinformation be released at press conferences by law enforcement and leaked on the internet regarding an active investigation and this must stop. This is dangerous."

 

I sent this email to Ms. Allison Jackson on Friday and it was before HCSO issued the press release yesterday.

I received Ms. Jackson's response a few minutes ago.

John : As you know I have a history of not engaging with the press about things I consult on. I only do so now because you have asked and someone has to take charge. I had hoped the sheriff would have attempted to bring the tone down about Miranda’s rescue, but that’s not the case.  I had hoped it might happen last week when a second warrant was executed. I am providing consultation to Mr. Miranda and the Rescue.  Mr. Miranda has gone on the record stating every animal that dies or is put down is buried on the property and this has occurred for 30 years.  It is not surprising that the deputies disinterred 30 years of dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and horses.  Nor located thirty years of leashes, collars, or harness for animals.  

HCSO has said it is conducting an investigation as to fraud.  The sheriff and undersheriff have said there is no criminal activity solely based upon the euthanizing of any animal.  The rescue site clearly explains that no animals are euthanized to make space but are euthanized if deemed unadoptable due to dangerous behavior or are terminally ill or in pain. 

Never have I seen in 30 years of practice this type of histrionics and misinformation be released at press conferences by law enforcement and leaked on the internet regarding an active investigation and this must stop.  This is dangerous. Mr. Miranda, his family, his volunteers and even his supporters are getting death threats or threats of violence. It is detrimental to the entire community.  

As the lead law enforcement officer in this county, I call on Sheriff Honsal to do the decent thing and the only legally supportable course of action and: 1) stop the salacious comments at press conferences and the leaks coming from his office; 2) stop giving clearly unconstitutional press conferences or interviews on the Rescue property; and 3) instruct the complainants and their crew to stop interfering with the investigation, for example: by using drones to fly over and video; renting people lifts to see over the hedges to video; trespassing and cutting holes in fences; and spreading blatant disinformation on their numerous anonymous internet accounts.   These vigilantes are now agents of the department.  This can no longer be ignored.

And to all the deputies that I've directly interacted with in this investigation; you have all been highly professional and should be commended.   I wish to end by telling all of you in the department that I have interacted with "thank you." 

Ms. Jackson is not only one of the best lawyers I have known. She cares for animals just as many who support Miranda. She has stood up for the underdog and successfully taken on this County including a case that made national headlines. When this all started, many lawyers were curious if Shannon had an attorney. There was no reason for him to because he has not been charged by any official authority; just maligned with speculation and claims from women whose motivation is listed in the first search warrant and affadavit I have.

I have been a reporter for decades, in college, after college, on and off after before I decided there was a need for independent, watchdog reporting in Humboldt. In all those years, in all the states worked and it was in traditional media; I have never seen the level of incompetence, arrogance, lack of accountability and cowardice I have in Humboldt. 

In Humboldt, I have covered courts and crime, business and politics for 12 years; been involved prior to that in business and politics since I moved here 22 years ago.

Not once has any involved party been allowed to go online, give interviews and that is after charges were filed or had gawkers when law enforcement is conducting an investigation.

Humboldt is not an accepting, liberal utopia and it definitely does not have conservatives with cajones. It is a judgemental, pissy podunk county with most of the people living off inheritances, grants, nepotism or some sort of subsidy who couldn't succeed in building a toilet if they did not have assistance. Mouthy, gossipy basement dwellers with nothing to show or contribute to society who spend all their time online or whining and kvetching behind people's backs. You cost people money, you destroy people's reputations and these threats in the Miranda's Rescue investigation are out of control.

I was not intending to do three posts today on Miranda's Rescue. The second was because I am over the constant harassment, threats and not having a moment's peace because of Humboldt drama and selfish people. Sheriff Honsal has not even professionally responded or spoken to me in months. This is how it is in Humboldt.  Certain media outside Humboldt choses to sensationalize and print information without doing any independent verification or thought about how people's physical, emotional and mental safety is being jeopardized by their irresponsible regurgitation and refuses to ask Sheriff William Honsal tough questions. Sheriff Honsal has failed as the chief law enforcement officer to protect certain people, including me. I don't have the second search warrant yet but I assume they took more electronics and any guns from Shannon Miranda as part of their investigation. So how is he going to protect himself and his family if someone shows up at his property? His neighbor has already admitted to trespassing and seems to be obsessed with monitoring Shannon Miranda. Did they take records when they were at Shannon Miranda's last week? He is supposed to do business with what, chalk and blackboard?

This press conference is going to be a waste of time unless Sheriff Honsal stops the photo ops and reminds the pitchfork crowd and certain Shannon supporters to let HCSO do their investigation without interference and to stop inciting.

What is posted below is to anyone who claims to be Shannon's friend, supporter and specifically to one person who told me you would do anything to help him. You have done the opposite. When he needs you; now you have cold feet? There is no difference between the pitchfork crowd or you. Out of control, obsessed and posting on Facebook and keeping this drama going non stop. Shannon will find out who his friends are, who is using him and he already knows who is willing to risk to provide some balance in the one sided "coverage" he has received.