I have been asking if e court could be online for years. I spoke with a previous Humboldt Superior Court CEO, the present CEO and have posted about this a few times.Last week, I was told the online portal for Humboldt e court would be available soon. I will believe it when I see it.
This is just one of the posts I have done over the years.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/02/public-may-soon-be-able-to-view.html?m=1
For the fourth time I submitted a media request in terroristic and criminal threat suspect Daryl Jones case I have been the only one to apply the last two times. Once again, it was granted by Judge Timothy Canning. Jones attorney, Conflict Counsel Meagan O'Connell, filed an opposition on Wednesday, 8/20/25, two days before the weekend which I have not seen. The DA had no knowledge of it this morning. The file is with the Judge. I could not even file a response last week because the clerk cannot accept it due to required timelines. The hearing is this morning.
Let's see what happens today. I was told the case is scheduled before Judge Timothy Canning. I have already consulted with lawyers. If you haven't, you should read my July 18 post.
I was the first one to report on a restraining order filed against Jones. If the DA amends the complaint to add her as an alleged victim as it was suggested in the civil lawsuit filed by Alannah Smith, that could impact the preliminary hearing or a last minute continuance.
10:06 a.m. Deputy DA Roger Rees is here for the preliminary hearing. I checked with him and there is no amendment to the complaint for the preliminary hearing. The DA can amend the charges later.
Ms. Smith is here with her attorney, Ms. Joanne Carter. There are at least 5 other alleged victims or community members here. Others maybe on Zoom.
CHP is here, EPD is here and APD. I saw 7 law enforcement witnesses.
Forcible rape suspect Jose Granados was arraigned on 8/19 on one count of PC 261 (a) (2) rape by force, violence or fear. Humboldt Presiding Judge Kelly Neel set bail at $75,000 bail and appointed the Public Defender's office.
On 8/21, at his OR bail, supervised release was granted Retired Judge Christopher Wilson. Preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8/28.
Just walked up to 6th and E at 10:12 a.m., saw two Eureka Police Department vehicles, two officers including EPD Sgt. Don Arminio. saw Sgt hand the vehicle driver and passenger citation.
Man driving was speeding on 7th and B, Sgt. Arminio in pursuit. The man had suspended registration and no proof of insurance. He was given a correctable citation. The passenger had no seatbelt and was issued a seatbelt safety violation. Sgt. Arminio told the man, "You need to get her to a place that is safer than where she is sitting."
I spoke with Sgt. Arminio after the vehicle and two officers left and thanked him for keeping the community safe. Sgt. Arminio was very kind and professional in the way he handled the entire interaction. Our local police officers who we know and all law enforcement deserve recognition because much of their work doesn't make headlines.
Perry Sanderson was arrested yesterday by EPD after a multi agency pursuit for hit and run, false imprisonment, kidnapping, probation violation and other charges.
Sanderson was arrested in 2021.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/12/hoopa-schools-advised-to-be-on-lockdown.html?m=1#more
I have been the only one to cover Sarah Carroll's hit and run case. I just did a detailed post on June 3 about her guilty plea and attorney arguments and whether she should be remanded.
On 8/22, Judge Kelly Neel sentenced Carroll to two years probation and 180 days in jail.
she was remanded and taken into custody. Expected release date from Humboldt County jail is November 19.
On August 20, ICE agents were conducting targeted immigration enforcement at 100 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, CA. As law enforcement attempted to carry out its sworn duties, anti-ICE rioters surrounded and assaulted four federal agents outside the building. The agents sustained injuries from pepper spray deployed by rioters.
One individual, Adrian Guerrero—a U.S. citizen—was charged with assaults and destruction of federal property. According to court filings, Guerrero slashed the tire of a government vehicle and threatened to stab a law enforcement officer.
Our brave ICE law enforcement are facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them as they risk their lives to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. These acts of violence are fueled by sanctuary politicians' rhetoric vilifying our law enforcement.
I just had a reader call me about this white car fire in front of the Courthouse but I aso got video from Shannon Cortez who was driving by and filmed the guy who was in the middle of the road and was arrested by Eureka Police Department. I will post video on Facebook.
I have reached out to EPD and HCSO to confirm who was arrested. I know people are trying to be helpful on FB but I prefer to confirm directly before posting a name.
9:36 p.m. Ashleigh Baclaan's tip turned out to be correct and I said I would give her the credit and I did here and on FB. Just confirmed with HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor that 69 year old Stephen Paul Paiment was arrested for PC 374 illegal dumping and littering and PC 451 (d) arson and PC . Bail is $25,000. As of Sunday morning, he is still in custody.
Eureka Police Department posted a brief statement on Facebook around the same time I spoke with Lt. Taylor. The press release issued on 8/27 has been added to this post.
8/24/25: When and if the DA files charges or if I can verify through other valid and legit sources that it is the same man arrested yesterday for arson, I will post more information I researched.
Tomorrow, there is a high profile case, Wednesday another high profile case of more interest to many in the community and it is going to be another busy and stressful week. I am still updating from last week and have court minutes not available from last week to check in addition to this week's cases. Many cases in the next three days only I cover with challenges directed at me for covering them. I know my regular readers understand and will be patient.
Ms. Andrea Sullivan was previously court appointed to convicted felon Daniel Fidler's case. He has two 2024 cases. Mr. Gregory Kreis was appointed to several of Ms. Sullivan's cases after more of her work is primarily other California courts. She still has some Humboldt cases.
On 8/22, at Readiness Conference, Mr. Kreis declared a conflict. Readiness Conference was continued to 8/25 to confirm Ms. Rebecca Linkous as counsel. She was ill and was not available that day. I doubt Ms. Linkous will be ready for jury trial scheduled for 9/2.
The Public Defender and Conflict Counsel usually declare conflicts early on; there are rare exceptions that it is late or last minute like this but it does happen. Why wasn't a conflict check done before appointing Mr. Kreis? He was a former judge and a former attorney and that precaution is a no brainer. This is not the first time it has happened with repeat offenders and convicted criminals and won't be the last time. More money wasted and another jail bed held up due to a repeat offender.
8/25/25: Ms. Linkous accepted appointment and requested a continuance for conflict check. 9/2 date vacated. Trial setting on 9/9.
27 year old Charley Ray Denwitty, Jr. was arrested by HCSO today at 1:10 a.m. and booked into the Humboldt County jail for PC 136.1(b)(2) dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim, PC 182(a)(1) criminal conspiracy, PC 529(a)(3) false impersonation and PC 12022.1(b) armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony. The jail log lists a Ramey warrant for two charges.
In 2022, I reported on his arrest by Eureka Police Department assault, domestic violence and carrying a concealed loaded firearm in vehicle.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/05/charley-denwitty-arrested-for-assault.html?m=1
There is an order setting conditions of release signed September 4, 2020 by U.S. Magistrate Jennifer L. Thurston . It is a for a U.S. District Court, Eastern California case in Bakersfield, United States of America vs Charley Ray Denwitty, Jr.
8/27/25: I will add notes from today's hearing. Denwitty, Jr's attitude did not work with Retired Judge John Feeney. After Deputy DA Candace Myers' argument, there is nothing Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada could say. He has four cases CR2501404A, CR2201485, CR2501654 and CR2501774.
Mike McAfee, the District Attorney of Mariposa County, abruptly resigned on August 11 after a closed meeting by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors last Monday.
This was after the Mariposa Gazette gave Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese more than 30 text exchanges provided by Gary Schisnewski, a criminal with a lengthy criminal history, who had been prosecuted and represented in separate cases by McAfee. The texts allegedly show McAfee buying methamphetamine several times from Schisnewski.
McAfee has not been charged but the California Attorney General is investigating.
Travis Landon Chambers was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday for PC 288 (a) lewd act on a minor.
Lila Ortega was booked into the jail yesterday on an arrest warrant for a 2024 case. Charges are PC 488 petty theft and PC 490.4 (a) organized retail theft. The charges are misdemeanors and Ortega was released on O.R.
Ortega's name first appeared on this blog as Kyle Zoellner's girlfriend and in my coverage of the David Josiah Lawson case in 2017 In 2018, I reported on her arrest for a DUI and possession of meth case.
Starting in September 2025 and expected to be offered until early 2026, eight of the most popular McDonald's combo meals meals will be priced at least 15% less than buying the items individually at U.S. franchises.
Some specific deals this year include $5 Breakfast: A deal on the Sausage Egg McMuffin in September. A special $8 Big Mac Combo Meal will also launch in September.
In November, $5 Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle and $8 10-piece Chicken McNuggets meal.
In Don Swall vs Dwivedi Tower LLC, a stipulation and order was filed by Janssen Malloy on behalf of Swall and Vanessa Vachon.
It was just filed on 8/21 so documents are not scanned in yet. Also, the clerk maybe waiting for the judge to sign it. I reached out to Mr. Patrik Griego who represents Swall and Vachon.
Mr. Griego told me, "It is just a stipulation to keep documents produced in discovery protected. It’s filed in almost all civil cases these days."
I have covered Jose Cruz's case from start to conclusion. He was sentenced this morning by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. A criminal protective order was filed and served.
In the last post, it was unclear from court minutes if Judge Cockrum's decision was tentative or final but according to today's court minutes; execution of sentence is suspended. Cruz placed on probation for 8 years.
I may or may not add previous links later because I have done so regularly for months. If there is a press release from the DA, I will add it.
Ryan Burn's article in Lost Coast Outpost today is a one stop read about the criminal case, the civil lawsuit filed by Mr. William Stein, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors ban on the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational use and City of Eureka, Fortuna and Trinidad proposed ban and ordinances.
Tomorrow is just a motion to compel. I have added that to my previous post. There is a Case Management Conference on 9/5/25 and I will add updates to my previous post on the civil lawsuit.
8/22: I saw Mr. Stein before the hearing on 8/22. He has filed a disqualification against Judge Kelly Neel who is hearing that calendar today so most likely, there will not be anything significant happening.