If third Loleta suspect is not arraigned today, he will be released from custody

Two of the Loleta shooting suspects posted bail. The third suspect, Parolee Fernando Martinez aka  Smokey is on the must go list. The DA has to arraign him today on something or he will be released from custody.

I  checked with the DA's office at 1:44 p.m about a late arraignment. Nothing has been filed with the court yet. On 8/21, DA case is still pending but he is still in custody which could be for other reasons including other cases. When I am the courthouse next, I have a ton of cases to check so if  and when I have time, I will follow up. His co-defendants posted bail so DA has time to file charges.

Dustin Holtz arrested by CHP's Honsal on two DUI charges

 

I don't know if this is the same Dustin Holtz who waa a witness for the People in the Juan Ferrer case. That was so long ago. 

A Dustin Holtz was arrested by W. Honsal of the California Highway Patrol yesterday for two misdemeanor DUI charges? Holtz was released on OR.

Every DUI case in Humboldt  and two misdemeanor charges are not getting a follow up unless there is something more newsworthy.

Holtz couldn't even stay sober for a day. He was arrested and booked by EPD at 9:33 a.m. for PC 647 (f) public intoxication. He was released from jail  per PC 849(b)(2) which means he sobered up.

Shout out to Captain Christian

I want to give a shout out to HCSO Correctional Facility Captain Duane Christian. He is always accessible and responsive. If like me, you check the jail reports online. Yes, they are not up today. I contacted Cpt. Christian. He has notified the vendors and County IT. Usually, the reports are up later the same day. These issues did not happen as often before so is it the vendor, outdated systems or cost cutting by Humboldt  BOS? Savvy Humboldt readers know. Update: The reports are up. Thank you Captain Christian and County IT.  I appreciate Captain Christian and County IT's prompt followup.

These little things that are taken care of that many of you don't know about that law enforcement, court staff and I do regularly in addition to hectic, stressful, busy and challenging work. 

Things that benefit others and other local media who make no effort to inform or fix issues. They do waste a lot of time from busy people posting scanner news that anyone with an app can listen to and because of who funds and "supports" them and because they have the "favor" of certain supervisors, everyone from PIOs to the Sheriff jumps when they whistle.

Most of my regular readers and people don't take a good work ethic and extras for granted. I made the extra effort to get reports from today. And you know who is going to benefit today, my regular readers. I have been very generous in the past with information and that has been used and abused. So  people are not my regular readers can wait or their preferred media choice can do the work.

There isn't much you are missing on the booking log today as far as arrests go. Some Repeat offenders and new arrests with the usual Humboldt crimes.

Kreis screwed up his sentencing, after being transported back for retrial, Malang resolved his case with a last minute plea

Convicted felon Delano Malang's bit an Arcata Police Department Sgt and was sentenced to prison. I covered that 2022 case. I also covered his retrial.

Former Humboldt Superior Court ousted judge Gregory Kreis' ruling was reversed on appeal with sentencing errors. Malang was transported back from prison to Humboldt County jail. Retrial was scheduled and at the nth hour, after wasting more time, taxpayer money and court resources, Malang resolved his case with a plea. Today, the DA filed a motion to advance sentencing. 

Should have taken the plea offer Kristen

 

On 8/14, there was a preliminary hearing for assault suspect Kristen Wise. Judge Steven Steward held Wise to answer as charged. Arraignment on information is on 8/28.

Last year he was facing criminal charges, after his plea, Christie has bought up more property, may end up own Redwood Meat and is paying off bills

 

Last year, many people foolishly thought Ray Christie would get his "just deserts." Others knew that HCSO, feds and DA's office bungled the case and were surprised it had not resolved earlier.

19 year old arrested for serious crimes, charged with three misdemeanors by DA

 

19 year old Sinoe Mariano Sanchez-Johnson was arrested by EPD on January 10 for PC 182(a)(1) conspiracy and PC 245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon. Sanchez-Johnson posted bond.

The DA charged him with three misdemeanors. Count 1 PC 245 (a) (4) assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury; Count 2 PC 242 battery and Count 3 PC 415 (1) disturbing the peace fighting. Alleged victim is Alejandro RamirezBurgara Jr.

I have been checking e court for months. The DA finally filed charges on 8/2. Arraignment is scheduled for 8/30. 

No additional jail time resolution for Kreis' client for a violent assault case

 

On 8/16,  Deputy District Attorney Brandon Boozari and Christopher Kinnamon's attorney, Gregory Kreis reached a plea agreement for no additional jail time and a guilty plea to an amended Count 5, PC 245 (a) (4) assault by means to produce great bodily injury. Rest of the counts dismissed.

Judge Ksenia Tsenin denied Kreis' request to release Kinnamon before sentencing. Kreis' reason was Kinnamon needed surgery for his finger. Kinnamon has  been in jail for since 8/1. Sentencing is on 9/16. 

Yurok Tribal Council meeting on alleged violations by Sherri Provolt, is she the Orick candidate who resigned?

 

This is a follow up to a May 23 post I did on Sherri Provolt. I got this email early a.m. today

"Published in the Yurok Today newsletter. There is a council hearing on the matter scheduled for August 20th. The agenda items attached were posted online in a Yurok chat group. The election announcement states that the Orick district candidate withdrew from race."

Was Kreis' threat to me in an open courtroom recorded?

I was in Courtroom 8 today to cover the Maria Cuevas hearing. It was a special set in front of Judge Ksenia Tsenin. When I walked in, it was unclear whether court was in session. Besides Cuevas who was in a wheelchair at counsel table, another defendant, Christopher Kinnamon was seated in the box. We were waiting for Deputy DAs. 

Everyone else was there. Kinnamon is represented by former ousted judge, now lawyer Gregory Kreis. I mentioned this case in my last Cuevas post.

The court bailiff and court staff were present;  the Judge and Ms. Andrea Sullivan were appearing on Zoom. I found out a few minutes later that the Kinnamon proceeding was being recorded when  Humboldt Superior Court Operations Manager Ms. Kelly Nyberg informed attorneys on the Kinnamon case and asked if that was okay. Later, she found a court reporter to record the portion where the plea was taken by Judge Tsenin.

I saw Kreis. I sat on the other side of the courtroom. Kreis' former colleagues, Heidi Wells and Jennifer Dixon were in the courtroom as well as one man and two women.

Three including one felon and one parolee taken into custody for shooting near Bear River Casino

(Martinez)

(Ellis)

(Carroll)

Fernando Steven Martinez is still in custody as of 8/17. Robert Glenadam Ellis and Madison Delilah Jewels Carroll posted bond. 

Today in the Redwood Nylander lawsuit, score 1 for Owens and Burke; Zero for Day-Wilson

 

Ms. Heather Burke of Harland Law Firm was retained yesterday by retained by Ryan and John Nylander yesterday. She joined Mr. Dustin Owens who represents Redwood Meat Co., Inc. Ms. Cyndy Day- Wilson was there on behalf of Stephanie, Rachel and Russel Nylander this morning for the Order to Show Cause hearing regarding the preliminary injunction filed by Ms. Day-Wilson.

Will KRCR reporter accept standard plea offer in her DUI case?

 

KRCR reporter Adelmi Ysita trial confirmation on 8/14 was continued by Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps to see if it will resolve. Jury trial for 8/26 was vacated. The offer stated by Deputy District Attorney Andrew Truitt is the standard plea offer made in misdemeanor DUI cases. 

Trial confirmation rescheduled for 11/19; jury trial on 12/2.

Besides her 7th and I case, Cuevas has two VOP cases and at least two prior convictions

 

This morning 7th and I collision suspect Maria Cuevas has a special set hearing for setting of preliminary hearing with Retired Judge Ksenia Tsenin. 

Attorneys will discuss discovery, and schedules and set dates. Nothing was filed yesterday so unless there is some last minute surprise, this is just a routine hearing.

Preliminary hearing scheduled for December 2. Four hour time estimate. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees was in court; Ms. Andrea Sullivan by Zoom.

Alleged victim Humboldt Bar Association President and former Public Defender Jennifer Dixon was there and Ms. Heidi Wells who represents one of the alleged victims. 

At the last hearing, besides her 2024 case, only one VOP case was mentioned. She has another VOP case which is also set on the calendar today. These violation of probatipn cases will trail her 2024 case.

I looked at her case history in e court. Since middle names are not listed, I listed two other cases; both with convictions.

In latest filings in Kreis' divorce case, ex wife claims he owes her thousands, is behind in spousal support and she is forced to spend limited assets to meet expenses

 

(Elvine)

There is a Judicial Settlement Conference scheduled on 8/26 in Kreis' divorce case. Since my August 6 post, both Gregory Kreis and ex wife Brenda Elvine filed some documents. From the address, I see Kreis is still living with Humboldt Superior Court's Tanya Ellis or is it Tanya Kreis. Those in the know around the court water cooler insist they got married. Boo, fiance, wife whatever Ellis' current relationship status is with Kreis; they are "together." Why didn',t Kreis use his new CA state bar email on this filing?

Mixed verdict, hung on aggravating factors in James Mason jury trial

 

Three of his 2024 cases were on jury trial. One 2024 case for petty theft is trailing. It is a mixed verdict and complicated because there are three cases and lesser options for charges. There was a bifurcation portion and after testimony concluded today, hung jury on aggravated factors. This will make a big difference for Mason and time served. Ruling on remaining aggravated factors on 8/20; sentencing on 9/20.

Michael Black puts on a performance at arraignment addressing das, attorneys, me; criminal proceedings suspended and bail bonds

 

Yesterday, as soon as I walked into Courtroom 5, Michael Black tried to talk to me. "Hey, how are you doing?" I obviously did not respond. There is a sign saying no comunication between inmates and custody. He had 5 cases on calendar yesterday.

Two of his arrests were merged into one case. Retired Judge Marilyn Miles was waiting on a few attorneys so court was not in session. Black kept talking then he commented on something Retired HCSO Deputy Greg Bickel, the court bailiff said to Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers. "Yeah, can you put on some nice music" Bickel who is working as extra help said, "Mike, we are in court."

Black then said, "I don't want to be here. I rather be dead."

"I think some of these DAs should be locked in, " continued Black. "Isn't that right Adrian?" Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada was seated at the counsel table. Mr. Kamada used to be a Deputy District Attorney. Black kept standing up, disrupting proceedings. They had to get extra bailiffs to watch him.

Reader thanks me for detailed coverage on Michael Black and is concerned about my safety

Yesterday, before Mike Black's arraignment, I received a letter from yet another reader about Michael Black. I am sharing it with permission.

"Hi Mr Chiv,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say first of all, thank you for the up-to-date coverage on Mike.  It is truly appreciated by me and my large family.  Mike has been harassing, threatening, and abusing me and my family for years and knowing about his arrests and time in and out of jail gives us some warning of when he is extra dangerous.  

The second reason for my message is to caution you that once Mike thinks he has been offended by anyone he will try to hurt them.  He has plenty of time and his Mother gives him plenty of money to enable him so he is relentless.  Mike has abused all of my family for years and for no reason with nuisance annoyances, physical violence, stalking, vandalism, and cyber bullying.

I’m worried that you might get the same treatment from Mike.  From my experience, you don’t have to do anything, there is no rational explanation for his behaviour, but once you are on his radar, he is a danger to you.  Please be careful.  

 His Mother will always come up with the money to pay for fines, bail, and the best lawyers while doing nothing to fix Mike.  She comes into town writes some big checks then gets away from him asap, I wish we all could get away from him that easily. 

Thank you so much for your coverage, I respect your hard work and it is a real blessing to me and my family."

I got another email at 10:36 today thanking me for the coverage. The sentiment was basically what every email has said, "I really appreciate your continued coverage of Mr. Black. Again I thank and commend you in your service that you provide our small community." To that reader, your email is appreciated, especially this week.