Second search warrant at Miranda's Rescue authorizes excavation to see if additional deceased animals are buried on site

Today, for the first time, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office stated, "This is an active animal cruelty, fraud, and theft investigation."  

Listed in today's HCSO press release about this second search warrant served in Miranda's Rescue investigation are several agencies.

Other media can go wait to see if HCSO releases additional information at 2 p.m. 

I will add any HCSO official updates, do original follow up, see what the second search warrant says since I have put in my request and some live updates. 

10:20 a.m: I tried calling Shannon and it went to voicemail.

10:54 a.m. It is my understanding that Ms. Allison Jackson is on the scene or was on her way there. 

11:03 a.m Jenna Moore saw Ms. Jackson speaking with a deputy, Jenna Moore was driving her white truck and screamed, "Hi Hilori."

Hilori is one of Shannon's more vocal supporters.

11:09 a.m. HCSO Undersheriff JD Braud was speaking with HCSO Lt. Mike Fridley. Saw me walking towards them and went inside. Don't know if that is a coincidence or not? 

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal was there sometime around 11ish I heard. He made a brief cameo.

What I have written below is my opinion and  documentation for my protection. 

You listed all these agencies in a press release. While the list of agencies looks impressive Billybob, you probably asked for agency assist from the FBI. You better deliver this time because the botched Ray Christie investigation made the State and Humboldt County DA have egg on their face when Mr. Rick Richmond took over the case. 

Shannon is not detained. It does not matter what HCSO releases because until the DA or any other agency files charges and Shannon has his day in court and due process; all this is  Billybob putting on a show. Jennifer Raymond, Jenna Moore and the Facebook crowd thinking they are a court of law. Court of jesters is a more apt description.

You still refuse to answer questions about your wife and any potential conflicts of interest and today's photo op is a knee jerk reaction to bad press.

Since Billybob or some minion will read this, I have already had issues with one of your deputies from Fortuna who I filed a complaint about previously. Today, another deputy almost crossed the line. I know how you, Rex and the good ole Humboldt boys work. You will never directly say anything to me. 

There are people who appreciate what I do and they don't like abuse of authority of power. I don't either. You have already seen that they will give me information.

You were elected to represent all the citizens of Humboldt County; not the interests of Jennifer Raymond, Jenna Moore and your ego. 

In which other alleged crime scene, are people allowed to loiter about and gawk? Heard Jennifer Raymond had 20 to 30 cars parked. How do other neighbors feel? When you or JD  are ready to answer these questions instead of talking to other local media who never question you; you have my email address. 

5:42 p.m. My summary of Sheriff Billybob's press conference: 

HCSO will be on site for next several days so Billybob can give a show and media who he likes and who likes him can run clickbait headlines. The press release was misleading because if only DA and FBI are on scene and nothing has been turned over to the other agencies mentioned, Billybob did what he does "best" and the activists followed their playbook and ran to the preferred media who will do their bidding, narrative, not ask tough questions and give Honsal the photo op he wanted. The other local media should apply for PR jobs with the County. They do a great job of talking points whether it is for Rex when he wanted to get rid of Karen Paz Dominguez or Billybob with Shannon Miranda. Local media likes to play ball so they can get handed advance scoops. This happened with Ray Christie and now Shannon Miranda.

They found two carcasses today, necropsy has not been conducted, there could be an explaination why those animals are buried there and most important; no criminal charges have been filed. Billybob does not want the Facebook drama and public flagellation of Shannon Miranda to end. Billy's fees fees got hurt and he is lashing out. The investigation was comprised when Billy and Jody were not upfront with the public and when Jennifer Raymond trespassed.

If there was all this evidence of fraud and cruelty, why didn't Billybob do this with the first search warrant. Maybe Billybob is competing with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for who is more tone deaf, arrogant and incompetent.

I didn't see "homicide school" Detective Julian Aguilera standing by Billybob at the presser. He authored the first search warrant.

I have to wait for a letter I have requested and the search warrant and then you can see for yourself if my calling out Billybob's resulted in what you see today.

HCSO Press Release (June 23, 2026):

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, California Attorney General’s Office, California Department of Justice, United States Department of Agriculture, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, is actively conducting a search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Miranda’s Rescue, located at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California.

Background:

On April 22, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received credible information regarding allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy associated with Miranda’s Rescue.

Due to the serious nature and complexity of the allegations, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division was assigned as the lead investigative unit. A search warrant was obtained and authorized for Miranda’s Rescue, including the residence and business property.

On May 1, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., investigators served the search warrant and seized evidence related to the investigation. Since that time, investigators have interviewed dozens of animal shelters throughout California, as well as some shelters outside of the state. Investigators have also interviewed witnesses and victims and have received hundreds of tips through phone calls and emails.

Through the investigation, it has been determined that hundreds of dogs were transferred or turned over to Miranda’s Rescue by private citizens and animal shelters. A significant number of those animals have not been accounted for.

Additional Search:

Based on the large number of animals that remain unaccounted for, investigators served a second search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue on June 23, 2026, at 8:00am.  The warrant authorizes the excavation of the property in an effort to locate additional deceased animals believed to be buried on site.

Sheriff’s investigators have been working collaboratively with the FBI, California Department of Justice, United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, California Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.   This is an active animal cruelty, fraud, and theft investigation.   

Members of the Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and private forensic veterinarians are assisting with the excavation operation.  Additional information, if available, will be provided on scene at 2:00 p.m. in the 1600 block of Sandy Prairie Road.  

HCSO Press Release (June 26, 2026):

On June 25, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division completed a second search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, located at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California.

The search warrant authorized the Sheriff’s Office to search the grounds and buildings associated with Miranda’s Rescue and Shannon Miranda for evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud. This included the excavation of open fields for evidence of deceased dogs believed to be buried in mass graves.

The investigative team searched the open field on the east side of the property. The property was also surveyed using ground-penetrating radar. Several locations were identified, and specialized teams excavated sites where anomalies in the soil were discovered.

During the excavation, investigators recovered 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites. An additional 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips were located in another dig location near where the intact animals were discovered.

The 117 intact dogs were in various stages of decomposition. Seventy of the dogs were X-rayed on site, and many of those animals showed evidence of bullet fragments. Most of the dogs recovered were microchipped. Analysts are currently reviewing the data obtained from the microchips and are working to identify the dogs associated with those chips. All items were collected as evidence and will undergo further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

Seventy of the dogs were examined on site by USDA and forensic veterinarians. Based on those examinations, investigators preliminarily determined the cause of death for many of those animals to be gunshot wounds. Due to time constraints, the remaining 47 dogs were not examined on scene. All 117 dogs were collected as evidence.

While digging in the northern area of the same field, investigators located additional deceased canines in advanced stages of decomposition. Investigators attempted to remove animals from that location; however, due to the advanced stage of decomposition, investigators on scene, in consultation with the prosecution team, determined that the evidentiary value of removing the animals from the ground was not justified. Investigators documented the location and observations, and the site was covered, leaving the animals in their final resting place.

Sheriff’s investigators also located an area inside a barn believed to be where the dogs were likely killed. In that same area, investigators located more than 600 dog collars.

Sheriff Honsal stated, “This investigation is just getting started. There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine. The Major Crimes Division is laser focused on this case and will continue working with our state and federal partners to examine every lead. We are grateful for the investigative teams from the county, state, and federal government. We are also grateful to the private forensic veterinarians who performed the necropsies on site. The determination all of these professionals showed while working through this horrific scene is something we will not forget.”

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform the public that, due to the nature and complexity of this investigation, the evidence review process will require a significant amount of time. Upon completion of the investigation, and after a thorough review of all evidence, if there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office understands the public’s desire for accountability and justice. However, it is our responsibility to conduct a complete, impartial, and legally sound investigation while ensuring that the constitutional and legal rights of everyone involved are protected throughout the process.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to the California Attorney General’s Office, California Department of Justice, United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the private forensic veterinarians whose expertise and partnership were instrumental in the successful completion of this operation. We also thank the Yurok Tribal Police Department for its assistance with ground-penetrating radar operations during the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office understands the significant public interest this case has generated. If you have a question, concern, or information about an animal that was under the care of Miranda’s Rescue, please email HSO@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Due to the number of media requests related to this ongoing investigation, a press conference will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Humboldt County Jail Briefing Room, located at 901 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501. Due to space limitations, only credentialed members of the press will be allowed access into the facility.