Crescent City, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and Cal Poly Humboldt all mentioned in Briannon Fraley's appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office issued a press release just now on some appointments. Briannon Farley's appointment is of local interest for several reasons.

Daryl Jones to remain on no bail status thanks to Judge Killoran and Deputy DA Rees, has family in San Diego, one parent in Texas and one in Oklahoma

 

(Jones 2023 FB)

(Jones FB 2024)

Only North Coast News and I were at terrostic and criminal threat suspect Daryl Ray Jones OR bail hearing which ended a few minutes ago. He is still in a red jumpsuit which means he is still in admin segregation.

Besides court staff, court bailiffs, Victim Witness Advocate Judge Lawrence Killoran, Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees, Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims and Ms. Joanne Carter, who represents the alleged victim in Count 1 and 2 and the us, no one was in the courtroom. Some of the alleged victims were present via Zoom.

"Their actions wreaked havoc all over Eureka and put everyone in danger"

 

No other media bothered to show up in court for Brandon and Jesse Widmark's sentencing. 

Sheriff William Honsal, DA Investigator Kyla Baxley, many HCSO deputies here including Deputy Luke Mathieson who was the court bailiff, Deputy Chad Crotty who was escorting inmates so he was in and out of the courtroom.

Other media did not even show up after my initial post during break. This is so disrespectful to law enforcement and the victims. I was here, every day for over a month and at every hearing mainly because of law enforcement but also because this case impacted Eureka where I live. Law enforcement keeps us safe and risks their lives everyday. I made a special effort to be there this morning even though I could not afford to be there for hours. I know some of the deputies better than others. I have known Deputy Raleigh Willoughby and his family for years. 

Today, the only victim impact statement in court was by Deputy Willoughby who was there via Zoom. DA Investigator Greg Hill read his statement and did a great job. 

Some of the victims were in court sitting behind me. Sheriff Honsal, DA Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley and HCSO deputies in the rows behind them. I know some investigators are currently with Deputy DAs in jury trials and more law enforcement would have been there but they are all working.

Several members of Jesse Widmark's family were there, including his aunt. There were two people who were related to Brandon Widmark. Those here for the Widmark brothers were on the other side of the courtroom.

Judge Steven Steward announced his tentative. He did some research  after attorney arguments and then made his final ruling and sentence after court resumed at 11 a.m. One of the criteria Judge Steward mentioned was that the sentence should be a deterrent to others.

Eva Denise Tsenin arrested for DUI and BAC over the legal limit

 

Eva Denise Tsenin was arrested this morning by CHP for VC 23152 DUI and VC23152 (b) blood alcohol level over the legal limit. She was released on O.R.

People make offer to resolve Sarah Carroll's hit and run case

 

On 4/16, Readiness Conference in Sarah Carroll's 2023 hit and run case  was continued by defense due to reassignment of counsel. The  People made an offer to resolve the case for the lower term for Count 1. Ms. Heidi Wells represents the alleged victim. The 4/28 date was vacated. Readiness was rescheduled for 5/15; jury trial on 6/2. In her 2020 case, April dates were vacated. Pre trial on 5/15; VOP revocation on 6/2. Both Carroll and her co-defendant,  former attorney Michael Acosta, resolved the 2020 case with a plea.

Suspended attorney Victor Campos fails to appear in court, bench warrant issued but held until the next hearing because defense said Campos is hospitalized

 

Suspended attorney Victor Campos failed to appear for his Readiness Conference and status of review of evidence in his drug case on 4/16. Bench warrant for $25,000 was issued by Judge Steven Steward and will be held until 4/24 at defense request because Campos is currently hospitalized. The hearing for Campos was continued and his co-defendant's case was set to coincide. 

DA Investigators arrest this woman outside courtroom on conspiracy and drug charges

(Photo: John Chiv)

Madelyn Kelsey aka Madelyn McCovey just arrested outside Courtroom 3 for possessing narcotics in jail, transporting narcotics, conspiracy by DA investigators Greg Hill and Tim Marsolan who cuffed this woman. They took her to a room on the ground floor of HCSO major crimes division where I took this photo. 

The DA had a Ramey warrant for her. She was booked for 11 felonies and two misdemeanors.

Man who threatened Rex, has a restraining order, arrested for the second time by EPD within a month for violation of a court order and possession of a firearm

 

(This is a previous booking photo)

Frederick Breckenridge arrested again and this is the second time by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC 273.6 (a) violating a restraining order and PC 29825 (b) possession of a firearm in violation of a court order.

He was arrested on 3/3/25 by EPD for PC 602 (m) trespassing and PC 419 tenant re-entry after eviction. The last time I saw him was on April 2 in court speaking with Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner after Humboldt Presiding Judge Kelly Neel had denied his Marsden motion.

Another California judge agrees to a deal with CJP to retire, Michael Carrozo CJP hearing vacated

 

On 4/11/25, the Commission on Judicial Performance issued a press release vacating a hearing date concerning Santa Barbara Judge Michael Carrozzo and stating further public announcement would be issued.

CJP Chief Counsel Gregory Dresser is quoted in  the Daily Journal confirming a stipulation is pending. The settlement includes an agreement that Carrozo would retire in September. 

Ming Tree shows support for Kernen Construction more publicly in 2025

 

(Photos: John Chiv)

Kernen Construction once again showed up organized and in great numbers for the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting this morning. There were so many people that there was overflow into another room. Some people chose to stand outside the BOS chambers.

(Photos: John Chiv)

Ming Tree's Larry Doss was at the December 2024 meeting. Today, Ming Tree is more vocal about their support for Kernen Construction.

Sheriff Honsal opposes release of sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office just issued a press release, a letter from Sheriff William Honsal and a letter sent to Humboldt County Chief DA Investigator Kyla Baxley stating opposition to the release of sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh to Humboldt County. It was ordered by Judge Kaleb Cockrum.

This is a very old court case filed in 1998. His SVP hearing was in 2016. The Deputy DA for that case is now the current DA; Ms. Stacey Eads. Liberty Health is the same program that housed SVP Joshua Cooley. I have added some of the court documents from Stobaugh's case.

DA charges Daryl Ray Jones with 19 felonies

 

DA has charged attempted terrorist and criminal threat suspect Daryl Ray Jones with 19 felonies. The complaint was filed today by Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees who is the prosecutor assigned to the case. Arcata Police Department, Fortuna Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Ferndale Police Department, Eureka Police Department are all the local agencies listed on top of the complaint. As reported previously, APD authored the Ramey warrant.

Retired Judge John Feeney assigned to Josh Neff's criminal threats jury trial

 

(2024 booking photo)

Jury selection started this afternoon in Joshua Neff's 2025 case for battery and criminal threats. It has been assigned to Retired Judge John Feeney. Mr. Paul Gallegos is representing Neff. He is out of custody. I saw him at the courthouse today. Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Buckley-Stein is the prosecutor for the trial.

Mr. Gallegos filed a motion today to excuse "peace officers" on the jury panel.  On 4/15, Mr. Gallegos filed a motion to limit testimony about a tracking device. 

In his opening statement, Mr. Gallegos addressed the jury, "You are the people, the Court said Ms. Buckley-Stein is the People, but they will never be the people."

The DA is always referred to as the People in a case. I have seen Mr. Gallegos in court as a prosecutor, a defense attorney and years ago as a juror and Mr. Gallegos has a very unique style and demeanor in court.

Years before I started this blog, I was on a jury for the Fortuna school teacher accused of alleged molestation. It was a hung jury. Mr. Gallegos was the DA and prosecutor for that case. Judge Kaleb Cockrum who was with Conflict Counsel at that time was the defense attorney. When former DA Maggie Fleming retried the case, again it ended in a hung jury.

On 4/16, defense motion for mistrial denied by Judge Feeney. On 4/17, defense motion for acquittal was denied by Judge Feeney. Jury started deliberations on 4/18. 

22 AGs submit a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opposing a dozen amendments to rules that would impact state and federal health insurance marketplaces

 

You can go to the California Attorney General website and read the other 50 pages of the letter or read the statement released minutes ago by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. 

22 AGs submit a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opposing a dozen amendments to rules that would impact state and federal health insurance marketplaces.

Vijay Sen arrested for attempted car thefts at Cal Poly Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt released the following details about an April 8 arrest of 18 year old Vijay Isiah Sen by the California Highway Patrol. The CPH statement has the April 9 date which is the date the arrest was posted on the online jail log. The CPH statement about charges is not entirely accurate.

Sen has two court cases. The statement lists charges from one case. There is a second case which lists the charges from booking. Sen was arraigned on 4/10; Public Defender's office appointed. He was granted supervised release on 4/14; preliminary hearing is on 6/4.

If the DA does not file a complaint by the cutoff for late arraignment, school threat suspect Daryl Ray Jones will be released from Humboldt jail

 

Criminal threats suspect Daryl Ray Jones who was extradited from Oklahoma to Humboldt County needs to be arraigned by his must go date or he will be released from custody. I previously reported Jones being booked into the Humboldt jail and that was on a no bail status. I had also reported that calls were being made to find Jones a local lawyer.

I was previously told he was on the must go list for today. I should have checked the jail log myself but I see why the person who gave me that information was confused.

At 1:05 p.m. today, I checked with the DA's office and they have received the report from law enforcement but the case is still under review; no complaint has been filed yet. Just checked with the court clerk at 1:26 p.m. and no filing by DA.

The cutoff to file for late arraignment is usually 2 p.m. unless the DA makes a special request which as of 1 p.m. had not been made to court administration. There is an existing Ramey warrant. As of 2:19 p.m. nothing in e court. 

3:25 p.m. I spoke to the DA's office which showed an arraignment for 4/15 but no charges filed yet so case was still pending at that time. Later after courts closed for the day, I confirmed with the jail at 5:25 p.m. and the jail says he is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow and the must go date they have is 4/15.

PG & E will be at Cafe Brio this Wednesday from 8 to 10 to answer customer questions but if you want a free coffee, be an early bird

(Image: PG & E website)

Megan McFarland, spokesperson for PG&E, sent this out to all media. PG & E will be at Cafe Brio this Wednesday from 8 to 10 to answer customer questions but if you want a free coffee, be an early bird.

"On Wednesday, we are holding a Coffee Connect at Café Brio in Arcata. PG&E pays for all coffee drinks from 8-10 AM and local North Coast PG&E team and customer service reps will be there to answer customer questions – everything from looking up your bill on the spot to confirm you’re on the right rate plan to why PG&E is trimming a tree in your neighborhood. It’s a great way to connect with local PG&E people in person without calling the 800 number. Or customers can just grab a free coffee, give a wave and be on with their morning!"

Retired Judge Marilyn Miles set alleged molestor Michael Conlee's bail at $75,000

 

Michael Ryan Conlee Jr was arrested on April 8 by the Arcata Police Department for PC 288 (a) lewd act with a minor. The DA has charged him with that felony. The alleged victim is a seven year old Jane Doe.