Domingo Santos is deceased and "lacks standing" and that was the first point made by Ray Christie's attorney in a 2025 case

 

On 1/26/26 in the afternoon, there was an ex-parte hearing in a 2025 case Domingo Santos vs Ray Christie.

Mr. Dustin Owens represents Christie. Mr. Ryan Mayberry of the Rothbard Law Group located in Santa Clara represents Domingo Santos. Local attorney Randall Davis was added as co-counsel for Santos in October 2025.

On 1/23/26, Mr. Owens filed an ex-parte application for stay execution of judgement; to quash service of summons and to set aside default and default of judgement. You can 

The first point Mr. Owens makes on the cover page is Santos is deceased and lacks standing to pursue this unlawful detainer action. Another point is that the service of summons was defective. You can read the entire court document yourself for more details. I have alsp included the court minutes.

That was the first thing that I thought even before I checked court documents in this case.

Humboldt Superior Court Commissioner Sarah Kaber granted the motion to stay "pending further order and a hearing on the motion to quash/set aside" which is scheduled for 3/2/26.

Ray Christie had to make a payment of $19, 940.20 by 9 a.m. today. He had to pay this amount while the stay is pending.

In 2023 and 2024, I reported on a lawsuit filed by one of Santos' son and his step daughter against a Ming Tree associate which settled and then a dismissal was filed. 

LA judge investigated by CJP and facing potential discipline wants to run for re-election?

 

On January 21, I did a post on Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert S. Draper who was investigated by the California Commission on Judicial Performance and formal proceedings were filed against him this month.

(Los Angeles County Election Office)

Judge Draper filed a declaration of intent yesterday. If he is serious about running for re-election, any challenger against him has free opposition research from the CJP notice of formal proceedings.

Regarding that, stay tuned for a follow up post if there is related news.

Based on a preliminary review, CBP releases report about Alex Pretti, autopsy to be conducted by Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office

Thank you to CBS News for sharing the text of the report provided to Congress by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol's  Office of Professional Responsibility which is based on a preliminary review.

Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel filed her candidate intention statement yesterday

 

Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel filed her candidate intention statement yesterday. She is one of three incumbents up for reelection this year.

Garberville CHP releases information about yesterday's crash on 101 that resulted in the death of the driver

Garberville CHP released the following information about yesterday's crash on 101 that resulted in the death of the driver.

K 9 Bodhi has retired

 

K 9 Bodhi has retired. 

Eureka Police Department just issued a press release.

On the day of his jury trial, Johnnie Acosta resolves latest case

 

Yesterday, domestic violence suspect's jury trial was scheduled to begin; instead Acosta resolved his case.

Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm made an initial offer of open plea to Counts and 3. The final result was Acosta pleading guilty to Count 2, and dismissal of Counts 1 and 3. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo is Acosta's attorney.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel took the plea. Sentencing is scheduled for 3/13.

Very few details released in today's shooting in Arizona involving a suspect and alleged asault on federal officer

 

Posted on Facebook at approximately 11:30 p.m. today.

A suspect is in critical condition after a shooting involving a US Border Patrol agent in Arivaca, Arizona near the US-Mexico border.

The FBI said this was "an alleged assault on a federal officer" and the person was taken into custody. The suspect was taken to the hospital.

FBI added, This remains an ongoing investigation. No further information will be provided."

The FBI requested the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s help to lead the use-of-force investigation involving the agent and is conducting a parallel investigation.

We ask the community to remain patient and understanding as this investigation moves forward,” Pima County Sheriff’s Department. “PCSD will thoroughly examine all aspects of the incident, however, these investigations are complex and require time.

Later today, more details were released. The suspect is 34 year old Patrick Gary Schlegel of Sahuarita, Arizona. Agents were trying to arrest him for alleged human trafficking, he fled and then shot at agebts.

Schlegel has a significant criminal history including an active federal arrest warrant issued last year by the U.S. Marshal Service for "escape related to a previous federal alien smuggling conviction.

Request for dismissal filed in another lawsuit filed against Shamus and Chris Barry

 

On 1/26/26, at a Case Management Conference, Ms. Cameron Melanson who represents Jose Omar Sarabia Sanchez  told Humboldt Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning she has filed requests for dismissals in the lawsuits against Shamus T Bones and Chris Barry.

Shamus and Barry are represented by Janssen Malloy's Megan Yarnall.

I have linked previous coverage to the lawsuits I covered on Shamus.

Another lawsuit against County of Humboldt and City of Eureka and this one involves a tree stump near the EPD Old Town Annex

 

Today, there was a case management conference in a 2025 lawsuit filed by Marilyn Lilley against County of Humboldt, City of Eureka et al. 

The lawsuit involves a tree near the parking lot Eureka Police Department Old Town Annex at 302 E street.

In February 2025, the City of Eureka rejected Lilly's claim. The County of Humboldt, according to the lawsuit did not respond.

An "exposed stump" is the culprit. Read complaint for more details.

Lilley is represented by Mr. John Roussas of Cutter Law P.C located in Sacramento. Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Joel Campbell-Blair is the lawyer for the County. City of Eureka is represented by Mr. Peter Urhausen of Gibbons & Conley located in Pleasant Hill.

The City of Eureka sidewalks are a joke just as the nonsense agenda items that the Eureka City Council and Eureka City Manager defend. The County of Humboldt can be arrogant but here is yet another lawsuit that still costs taxpayers until it goes through the court process.

I walk all over the City of Eureka; there are problems with the sidewalks; my feet hurt and are damaged from these issues. In 22 years, I have managed to avoid the stumps, potholes and exposed  hazards by this amazing ability that exists called see and avoid obvious problem areas.

There are people who work hard and suffer carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis and other injuries who could go convince some lawyer to file a lawsuit. They haven't.

Anyone can file paperwork for a lawsuit. Proving damages is what matters.

Delman Smith, Laila Khaleeli and Marilyn Lilley are all lawsuits with similar claims and I have reported on them all. 

Even Los Angeles did not protest the arrest of a convicted sexual predator

 

Preliminary hearing for Dr. Frank Fisher who is charged in Humboldt case with 22 counts of insurance fraud and assault likely to produce great bodily injury

 

Dr. Frank Fisher is charged with 22 counts of PC 550(a) (1) insurance fraud and one count of PC 245 (a) (4) assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury in a 2023 Humboldt Superior Court case.

Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for this case. Local law firm Janssen Malloy's senior partner, Mr. Patrik Griego, represents Dr. Fisher.

Since arraignment on 12/14/2023, the preliminary hearing in Humboldt Superior Court has been continued several times since arraignment. 

The preliminary hearing was scheduled today as a special set assigned to Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum.

Mr. Griego has subpoenaed records from Cal Poly Humboldt, Mad River Community Hospital, Open Door Community Health and DOJ.

Former Humboldt DA Investigator Alan Aubochon who is now with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force is the lead investigator for the Humboldt case.

In addition, there was a first amended accusation filed December 6, 2024, a against the license of  "FISHER, FRANK BENSELL., M.D. (G 48224) with an address of record in RIO DELL, CA", a lawsuit filed on January 20, 2026 in Sacramento Superior Court, and a 2017 stipulated settlement and order from the medical board of California.

On 1/26, Fisher waived preliminary hearing to some of the counts and was held to answer on those charges. For more details, read the court minutes provided.

The preliminary hearing continues tomorrow and will probably go all day. I will be adding 1/27 court minutes and the ruling when it is issued and available.

Humboldt correctional staff prevent overdose; suspect booked on drug charges including smuggling contraband into jail

 

(HCCF from HCSO instagram)

On January 22, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office arrested Allison Trantham of McKinleyville for several drug related charges that include HS 11351 - Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance. She was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Suspect flees after stabbing 57 year old at Veteran’s Park in Willow Creek

 

2:57 HCSO update: The stabbing occurred at the Community Commons park located near the Big Foot Museum located on Highway 299 at Highway 96 in Willow Creek and not Veteran's Park as previously reported.

120 arrests made as a result of a California human trafficking operation from January 19 to 24

At 10a.m. today, California Attorney General Rob Bonta hosted a press conference in San Diego to announce the results of a statewide human trafficking operation. 

In addition to AG Bonta, San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, CHP Assistant Chief Michael Vargas andSan Diego HIDTA Executive Director David King were present.

Fire investigators determined the cause of today's Mckinleyville structure fire to be arson.

 

(Arcata Fire District)

At approximately 4:07 a.m. on January 25, 2026, units from the Arcata Fire District, Fieldbrook Fire Department, and CAL FIRE Trinidad were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire in the 2700 block of Martin Road in McKinleyville. 

Gabino Castro-Morales arrested for false imprisonment and domestic battery

Gabino Castro-Morales was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 236 false imprisonment and PC 243(e)(1) domestic battery.

Convicted molestor and sex offender Ryan Graves booked into Humboldt County jail to serve his jail sentence

 

Convicted molestor and sex offender Ryan Graves was booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday to start serving his jail sentence for PC 288.2(a)(2) sending or showing pornography to a minor and is scheduled to be released in May.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran sentenced Graves to 240 days in jail with custody credit for 4 days. Two year prison term suspended. Sex offender registration at highest level 3. His original commit to jail was 11/29/25.

Previous coverage includes court documents, minutes and Ramey warrant.