California legislators and other enablers who will criticize the title of this executive order just because it is from the current administration are the same people who are absent from courts where people in a repeated cycle end up not getting the help they need but a criminal record

 

The title of this executive order will appeal and make sense to some; others will jump to conclusions. How many people will or have read the text of the entire executive order? 

I have posted the entire executive order. 

It protects the public from dangerous, violent criminals including sex offenders. It provides grants to States who help people whose mental addiction and drug addiction keeps them homeless, arrested and repeatedly jailed. Those who enable drug use  and refuse to accept that there are people with mental illness who pose a risk to the public, themselves and cannot care of themselves and require civil commitment are endangering the public and are enablers. Aunna Bollman, Frederick Breckenridge, James Leach, Daniel Epperson, Analia Martinez, Sean Lundy are all local defendants I covered who have gone to the State Hospital or are seeking mental health diversion. I could list other names and cases that I cover where the stree and jail cycle is evident. 

DA " rejects" recent arrest report on local attorney Callie Buck; no charges filed

 

I just did a post yesterday on local attorney Callie Buck's 2025 domestic violence arrest. She was on the must go list today and I checked the e court system yesterday and today. When I called the DA's office to see if charges had been filed, staff told me "it has been rejected." I take that to mean the HCSO report or insufficient evidence or maybe the alleged victim changed his mind. This means no charges were filed and she will be released from custody today.

EPD Officer Richard Stancliff and Officer Jack Cole honored by MADD for excellence in DUI enforcement

(Officer Cole)

(Officer Stancliff)

EPD Officer Richard Stancliff and Officer Jack Cole honored by MADD for excellence in DUI enforcement. Know both officers but have had more interaction with Officer Cole who formerly worked at HCSO. He is very good at dealing with the public, his demeanor, knowledge of the law and practical approach in responding to situations that are urgent but not life threatening is something that cannot be taught; it is just natural ability.

EPD, HBF and City Ambulance on Hillsdale this morning, who knows how long the person on the street was there until someone called the police

 

(Photos: John Chiv)

Woke up this morning and a few minutes later looked outside by window to see what appeared to be someone on the ground on Hillsdale between C and E. Just as I was about to call 911, at 6:52 a.m. Eureka Police Department vehicle pulls up. At 6:56 a.m. Humboldt Bay Fire. At 7:01 stretcher loaded into City Ambulance. At 7:06 EPD and HBF gone and City Ambulance leaving.

I contacted EPD PIO Laura Montagna with specific questions and she responded, "EPD responded to a call for a male laying face up in the roadway. Narcan was administered."

"Today’s announcement sends a clear warning to those who exploit and abuse children: you will not find safe haven, even on the dark web"

 

Thank you DOJ and FBI for the detailed results and information on Operation Grayskull. As someone who has dedicated years to exposing predators and covering such cases at personal risk, danger and toll to my health and finances to call out convicted molestors and others convicted of sex crimes in a small, insular County, this is the law and order that everyone should commend.

Emmanuel Moya-Rodriguez sentenced today for sex crime and already released from custody

On July 10, Emmanuel Arcangel Moya-Rodriguez entered a guilty plea to Count 1 PC 288.4 arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes. Today, he was sentenced by Retired Judge Christopher Wilson sentenced Moya to two years in jail with execution of sentence suspended; he has 205 custody credits and was placed on two years probation. He is already out of custody with his sentence considered served. 

If lack of disclosure/working on Sparks vs Joachim while employed with the City of Eureka was not part of the reason for Curtis Davis' termination; all he had to do is send me a brief written response

 

On June 9, I was the first to report that Curtis Davis was no longer employed by the City of Eureka as a Deputy City Attorney and was terminated. I got a brief response from Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery confirming June 6, 2025 was Mr. Davis' last day with the City of Eureka.

On July 10, I did a very detailed post which included some information from a PRA request I made to the City of Eureka. 

On July 21, the City of Eureka sent me another response to my PRA. There are some documents I took a look at and others have accessibility issues that I don't have time to deal with at this very busy time with other news and court cases. The documents are either subpoenas, notices and depositions in the Sparks vs Joachim case.

The two documents I could open are dated after Davis was terminated by the City of Eureka.

In my July 10 post, I explained in detail about lack of a written response from Mr. Davis which was requested more than once. With Mr. Davis choosing not to respond; the question still remains that was the headline of my July 10 post.

If lack of disclosure/working on Sparks vs Joachim while employed with the City of Eureka was not part of the reason for Curtis Davis' termination; all he had to do is send me a brief written response.

I have other information that I am unable to publish at this time. 

10 years later Bret Swortzel is still getting arrested and racking up cases, he failed to appear for court,forfeited thousands in bail with bench warrants issued today

**These are two photos from 2014 from two different FB accounts and the list of friends on one account lists Sarah Carroll, Michael Acosta's co-defendant and partner. It also lists him.being from Garberville**

Bret Swortzel has four 2025 open cases including a writ of habeaus corpus, three 2024 cases and at least 10 other criminal cases from 2003 to 2023. Charge categories range from drug to assault. 

I stopped counting. This does not include family support and civil harassment cases. All his cases do not even fit in one screenshot.

Swortzel failed to appear for court today, had bench warrants issued by Judge Kaleb Cockrum, bail bonds forfeited, just in one case it was $60,000. His bond is from an out of county company Bail Hotline. 

I covered Swortzel in 2015 and 2016 and there are way too many posts to link. His attorney at that time was former lawyer Michael Acosta who is no longer eligible to practice law in California.

8/15/25: Arrested by HCSO on a bench warrant.

Sexually violent predator has filed yet another appeal; this one after Judge Cockrum's recent ruling

 

(Stobaugh at July 8 2025 court hearing, Photo John Chiv)

Ten days after Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum ruled against releasing sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh from the State Hospital to the proposed placement in Humboldt, a notification by clerk regarding a notice regarding appeal was filed. Nothing is posted on the California First Appellate District website.

Stobaugh has three previous appeals.

Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is out this week. I have reached out to Humboldt District Attorney Stacey Eads and DA Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley. 

DA Eads responded, "John, Not much to share as there’s only a notice thus far.  We will address when the substantive pleadings are filed & served.  Thanks!"

Blake Anderson arrested by HCSO for kidnapping, elder abuse, burglary and vandalism

 

Blake Elliot Anderson was arrested by HCSO last night for PC 207 (a) kidnapping, PC368(b)(1) elder abuse, PC 459/461(a) burglary and  PC 594(b)(1) vandalism.

Jail log shows new domestic violence arrest for local attorney Callie Buck

 

(this is not a booking photo)

I have previously covered local attorney Callie Buck's court cases. Jail log shows a new arrest yesterday by HCSO for PC 273.5 (a) domestic and PC 1203.2(a) probation violation. 

I have provided links to prior coverage. She had resolved previous cases and was placed on probation. I also did a post on her husband being arrested for domestic violence. 

I have spoken with Ms. Buck previously and if she is out of custody, I will see if she will comment. Ms. Buck is still in custody and on the must go list for 7/24.

I have reached out to HCSO PIO Hilary Lebow for clarification about this arrest. I have some information about this latest arrest and who the alleged victim is that I am waiting to verify.

Humboldt Superior Court goes through cycles, right now continuances and rescheduling is common, especially with preliminary hearings

 

I follow all cases regularly. If you are not seeing an new post on a particular case, it is because it has been continued or there is a minor update that I add to the previous post. Many preliminary hearings are being continued for weeks now and if you read my blog regularly, you know the many reasons. I am not even rushing those updates anymore because there is other news or other cases with content to post first.

Respecting readers and viewers time when there is a lot of content and options is the best way to thank loyal supporters. I also adjust content by observing the feedback I see; not just from stats but that you give me in person.

CA AG press release today about housing discrimination and retaliation by landlords is not just about immigration status but helpful for any California tenant

California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent out the a lengthy press release today about housing discrimination and retaliation by landlords against tenants. While it focuses on immigration status, it has a lot of helpful information from any California tenant.

Murder suspect Deunn Willis benefits from his boo Danielle Durand's attorney's expertise; different DA, different judge this week, supervised release denied but no bail status changed to $75,000

 

This is a brief update to last week's OR bail hearing on robbery suspect Danielle Durand and murder suspect Deunn Willis. Last week, Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer appeared on the case and it was Visiting Judge Marjorie Carter. Today, Deputy DA Brandon Boozari appeared on the case for the People and it was in front of Visiting Judge Doris Shockley.

Both have retained private attorneys. Mr. Michael Robin represents Durand. Her co-defendant and boyfriend Deunn Willis is represented by Mr. Gregory Kreis. 

Last week, Judge Carter had denied both Durand and Willis release and kept their no bail status but was convinced by Mr. Robinson to argue OR bail for Durand again. Willis benefitted today from his boo's attorney's argument. As reported last week and only here, they have been in a relationship for 10 years.

Once again, the Durand clan and supporters took up several seats in the courtroom. 

At 3:08 Mr. Robinson was presenting argument to Judge Doris Shockley; Mr. Kreis was standing with Willis, not sure why three extra bailiffs were in the courtroom.

Judge Shockley  denied request for supervised release without prejudice for Durand. Both Durand and Wilis had custody status changed from no bail to $75,000. Preliminary hearing is on 8/28.

Durand posted bond. Willis is still in custody as of 10 p.m. tonight.

Defense says sexual battery suspect Mervin Lewis George III is developmentally disabled, letter from parents provided to Court and DA, defense hopes case will resolve

 

Sexual battery suspect Mervin Lewis George III had trial confirmation scheduled today in his case. Mr. Michael Robinson appeared in court for George who is out of custody. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Truitt and Deputy DA Matt Dobie appeared on the case for the People.

Mr. Robinson told Visiting Judge Shockley that George is developmentally disabled and made an oral motion to continue which was granted over the People's objection. Letter from George's parents was submitted to the Court and a copy provided to the DA.

Trial confirmation was continued to 8/19; jury trial on 9/2. Mr. Robinson had a brief, private discussion with Mr. Truitt.

We have great PIOS and law enforcement, I waited until this morning to confirm some details and a press release from EPD and information from the Coroner about the deceased from the Broadway collision is forthcoming

 

(EPD Facebook post yesterday around 8 p.m.)

Yesterday evening on 7/21, there was a fatal collision on Broadway near Leon's Car Center and Fiesta Cafe. Most people are familiar with details however those are unverified details through random social media accounts including Tik Tok and none of these are news, information or law enforcement sources. While I appreciate intent behind the posts and comments from two local business owners included below; they are not Eureka Police Department, Humboldt Bay Fire or any other law enforcement agency.

Eureka Police Department was on scene. I knew after evidence collection and intial investigation Eureka Police Department would send out an official press release with more details. 

I contacted HCSO PIO Hilary Lebow who told me she is waiting to hear from the Coroner and will then respond to my media inquiry. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal sent a response to me shortly after HCSO's earlier email.". 

"On July 21, 2025, the Humboldt County Coroner responded to the scene of a crash off Broadway in Eureka. We are deferring logistical questions to the Eureka Police Department (EPD), as the incident occurred within their jurisdiction. We can confirm that one female is deceased. As soon as the coroner’s office confirms her identification and notifies next of kin, we will release more information  The autopsy is scheduled for later this week, and the cause of death will be determined at that time."

EPD PIO Laura Montagna also responded with the following, "Yes, we are the lead agency. Waiting for Coroner to notify next of kin and release info on the deceased. The van was stolen from Fortuna. The press release will go out when Commander Leonard LaFrance is available later this morning." 

The EPD press release issued today 11:37 a.m.  has been added to the post.

7/25 update: HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor confirmed the deceased is 25 year old Eureka resident, Kendra Leighanne Beni Yao Moore.

In the many arrests on the main ICE X account, there are also posts such as these yesterday about others like this Polish citizen and U.K citizen being deported and the arrest of a San Angelo man for sextorting minors

 

If only Humboldt law enforcement, attorneys, correctional deputies, court staff and law abiding public could address Humboldt criminals "Truth Social" style. Since they can't or won't, I will as the local reporter and blogger covering court and crime

(Humboldt County Courthouse)

(Humboldt County jail)

What is going on with you "boys" and in some cases, "gals?" Those of you at the too clean Humboldt Hilton with three hots and a cot you losers don't deserve. You are really putting a damper on the Humboldt fog. Law enforcement, attorneys, correctional deputies, court staff and law abiding public and I are on one team. Make Eureka Safe Again. Crescent City, San Francisco, Oregon are really not sending us their best. It is summertime.  We are tired of seeing your mugshot, fed up of seeing you out on the street, not interested in your sob story for the 10th time about how you will change. Put on some "big boy" and "big girl" pants, enough of this arson, robbery, vandalism DEI.  We need a break from your crime. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

If only Humboldt law enforcement, attorneys, correctional deputies, court staff and law abiding public could address Humboldt criminals "Truth Social" style. Since they can't or won't, I will as the local reporter and blogger regularly covering court and crime.

I was going to do one for the family law litigants but they have no sense of humor.

I have earned the right after what reporting truth, especially about courts, has cost me personally, financially and done to my health.