Levi Jones sentenced in 2026 case

 

Levi Jones looks the same as the 2022 booking photo except his hair is slightly longer.

Jones resolved his 2026 case with a guilty plea to PC 245 (a) (4) assault likely to produce great bodily injury. I covered the case and the plea in detail in my August 6 post which was a conditional plea for structured release into drug treatment.

Jones was sentenced today by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward to two years formal probation and 364 days in jail. Jones has  175 days of actual custody credits and was given 174 conduct  credits for a total of 349 custody credits. He was served with a protective order. Jones has a drug court review date on 10/2/26.

Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor. Conflict Counsel Meagan O'Connell is Jones' attorney.

City of Arcata Workplace Violence Restraining Order against Brett Watson renewed and extended for three years

You heard it here first.

The 8/26/26 order signed by Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning granting City of Arcata's request to renew the Workplace Violence Restraining Order was entered into e court today with the ruling. The WVRO was extended for three years and expires on March 17, 2029. I covered the arguments. 

Those who want complete facts should read it to see what Judge Canning took into consideration and why he found insufficient evidence connecting Watson to two emails sent to Nancy Diamond.

Just saw EPD on the way to serve a search warrant

Just saw Eureka Police and K9 vehicle on 5th with sirens on 5th turn on M or N ? and now two more vehicles. Don't know where they went but it is not 4th or anywhere near 5th. EPD Police Operations Analyst Rachel Sollom told me, "They are serving a search warrant."

EPD was at the former Quality Inn which has gone through a few names including the current Bayside Inn Suites and also has a Ramada Wyndham sign. 

EPD is expected to issue a press release tomorrow.

8/27/26: There is a Ramey warrant for Brian Andrew Coffman on the jail log and from the time and charges this seems to be the suspect EPD was looking for at the 4th street motel. EPD Police Operations confirmed it is Coffman.

Jail log lists EPD Officer Jack Cole as the arresting officer and who took Coffman to jail to be booked

EPD press release issued at 8:38 a.m, minutes after I confirmed the arrest has been added to the post.

Just today, a report was released on the consequences of Prop 47 and reduced drug penalties. Until California voters get serious about pressuring their legislators to change laws about public safety, thank EPD for temporary relief from another repeat offender.

David Bourland booked into local jail on confidential federal warrant from Homeland Security

 

Another confidential federal warrant booked into Humboldt jail. This time for David Craig Bourland. This one is from Homeland Security.

Whether this is the Rio Dell convicted David Bourland cannot be confirmed at this time by official sources because 2016 and 2026 press releases do not list a middle name. A reader left this comment on my Facebook news page.

I have contacted Homeland Security to see if any information can be released.

4:24 p.m.: I got a response from Homeland Security. "HSI does not comment on the existence or status of specific on-going investigations. HSI refers all media inquiries for the US Attorney’s office for the Northern District of California."

I contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office in Northern California on 8/27/26  and update the post with any response.

The local David Craig Bourland from Rio Dell has two 2026 open cases and is represented by Gregory Kreis in those two cases.

These are all the cases in Humboldt Superior Court for the local David Craig Bourland.

His custody status shows released from custody by court order and that he was released to law enforcement. With him being in federal custody, let's see what the Humboldt DA decides about his two Humboldt cases. Kreis' request for funding was recently denied in Bourland's two Humboldt cases.

Both cases are on for preliminary hearing on 10/15/26.

Arson suspect Stephen Paiment says he is having an adverse reaction to medication being administered

 

Today, arson suspect Stephen Paiment's preliminary hearing was continued by defense to 10/7/26. Paiment says he is having an adverse reaction to medication being administered.

I have been the only one to regularly cover this case for months and to do in person court coverage. Today, I briefly looked inside Courtroom 1. 

Future updates until something significant happens will be added to this post.

Anil Dwivedi's settlement discussions in the original Hillsdale apartment lawsuit will "encompass the contempt issue"

 

I have been the only one regularly covering the four lawsuits against local landlord and candidate for Eureka mayor, Anil Dwivedi.

I have provided the order. Will Dwivedi settle before the election? There is a Case Management Conference on 10/12/26.

With the number of Humboldt criminal and civil cases I cover daily and several defendants with multiple cases as well as other news, I do not have time to provide previous links and most of my readers read me daily and regularly.

When I have time, I may add links or screenshots to recent posts.

If you don't, several paid options are available for customized updates and conveniences such as links or individual questions.

All prior coverage is accessible for free via the search feature on the blog or Google.

Gregory Kreis says he does not have the financial ability to pay his ex wife's attorney costs or sanctions requested

Humboldt Superior Court only has certain documents in e court in the family law case for Gregory Kreis and Brenda Elvine. I do have documents Kreis refers to in the 8/7/26 but as I said in previous coverage, it has some identifying financial information  that I will not post online. What is posted in the public court documents filed by Kreis I have included does not have those specifics.

Once again, one of my articles is included in the filings. Read for yourself the words of local attorney Kelly Walsh and petitioner Gregory Kreis.

Who leads the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office is of public interest, especially if Gregory Kreis is being considered as one of the candidates

After the County response to my initial request to find out who is being considered to head the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office, I consulted with lawyers and submitted a PRA on August 19, 2026 with specifics.

 

Who leads the Alternate Conflict Counsel Office is of public interest, especially if Gregory Kreis is being considered as one of the candidates. 

Matthew Kapono arrested by Fortuna PD for lewd and lascivious on a minor

27 year old Matthew Sonny Kapono was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday for PC 288 (a) lewd or lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14.

Kapono is charged with PC 288 (a). Alleged victim is John Doe. The DA filed a complaint on 8/26, Kapono wa arraigned the same day. Senior Deputy DA Whitney Timm appeared on the case for the People. Public Defender's office was appointed by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran;  bail is $75,000; criminal protective order filed and served at arraignment. OR bail on 8/28; preliminary hearing on 9/8.

8/28/26: Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran granted supervised release. Deputy DA Ian Harris appeared on the case for the OR bail hearing. Deputy Public Defender David Celli for his office. Preliminary hearing is on 9/8.

I do not know if this is the case Mr. Celli was discussing with an older man and younger woman outside Courtroom 5 in the afternoon but they were headed to the jail. I heard parts of the conversation about services, programs and Mr. Celli telling them to talk to Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo. If it does end up being this case and Kapono is granted some sort of treatment or diversion, you heard it here first.

Michael Rider arrested by EPD for criminal threats and sexual battery

54 year old Michael Carlisle Rider was arrested by Eureka Police Department last night on a warrant for PC 422 criminal threats and  PC 243.4(a) sexual battery. He posted bond.

This is for the third 2026 case CR2603172 filed 8/12/26 with the two charges he was booked for and the warrant was filed 8/14/26. Rider is scheduled to be arraigned on the recent 2026 case this morning. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson.

He has two previous 2026 cases.

CR2601540 filed 4/17/26 PC 653m (b) annoying telephone calls with intent to annoy and harass, alleged victim Roberta Robin Nolan, which is trailing. EPD is the law enforcement agency.

CR2601474 filed 4/15/26 for PC 646.9 (a) stalking, PC 422 criminal threats and PC wilful disobedience of court order. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson. Preliminary hearing scheduled this morning. EPD is the law enforcement agency. 

Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims is Rider's attorney. Deputy DA Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for all three 2026 cases.

He was remanded today but is going to be placed on electronic monitoring.

There were several developments this morning in all three criminal cases. There is also a civil case CV2502845 which was a petition for civil harassment against Rider. A temporary restraining order was granted by Humboldt Commissioner Sarah Kaber on 2/11/2026. 

The petition alleges that Rider sent "pornographic materials with salacious commentary" to property managers and employees of Humboldt Property Management.

That was brought up in court today.

You can read the court documents and court minutes yourself. Future dates are in the court minutes but I have also added them in the post . The civil case is calendared with the criminal cases so I am not adding what was previously scheduled.

CR2603172  OR bail 8/28; preliminary hearing 9/4

There is a 10/20 arraignment date which has not been vacated from the system by the end of the day on 8/25/26.

CR2601540 OR bail on 8/28; pre trial on 9/4.

CR2601474 OR bail on 8/28; preliminary hearing on 9/4.

8/28/26: Michael Rider posted bail after his arrest. He was supposed to be placed on electronic monitoring. Today, at his OR bail hearing, the DA had planned to ask for an increase in bail. Rider failed to appear in court and a bench warrant was issued. He had four cases on calendar. All future dates in his criminal cases have been vacated. Another bad decision by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum who should have remanded Rider as requested by Deputy DA Boozari at arraignment.

Employee of LAX provider arrested for possession of 11 kilos of fentanyl which was Minnesota bound

The U.S  Attorney's Office, Central District of California released details today about the arrest and federal charges against an employee of a LAX service provider for possession of 11 kilograms of fentanyl in a bag men’s bathroom at airport to be transported to Minnesota.

Heather Durand appointed by Newsom finally to fill judge vacancy in Humboldt Superior Court

 

You read it here first.

Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Heather Durand has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom for the vacancy after Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge Joyce Hinrichs retired. I was the only one to reported on her and other potential candidates for months and years.

I  reached out to Humboldt Superior Court CEO Meara Hattan and Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel on 8/25/26 with a question and will be adding any response I receive.

Ms. Hattan responded, "Good morning John- we expect that she will start before January.  We are pleased to have Ms. Durand join the bench."

Judge Neel responded, "Good morning,

We are all very happy and excited to welcome Ms. Durand to our Bench; we rec’d the announcement the same time everyone else did, so we do have some planning to do.

I do anticipate her joining us before January but that’s one of the details we will be working out with Ms. Durand as she wraps up things with her current employer."

From California Governor Gavin Newsom's Press Office:

Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel’s Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.

Fleeing from EPD did not work for Gordon Briggs

There are two Gordon Briggs, one is Jr. EPD press release does not state which but based on the age and the bench warrant issued for Gordon Dale Briggs, Jr in a 2025 and 2026 case on 7/28/26. That is also the only open criminal case. Gordon Briggs, Jr is a convicted felon.

Conflict Counsel declares another conflict before jury trial, Deputy DA Brandon Boozari was correct to object to a continuance, now a new attorney and more delays

 

Jack Nye is another case and in the last week, the second case where Conflict Counsel has declared conflict right before jury trial.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran took under submission a ruling on mental health diversion which I reported in my last update. There is no ruling as of today.

Today, at Readiness Conference, Mr. Joe Judge was appointed by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steward. I was not aware Mr. Judge was taking apointments again. Due to medical issues, several of his cases were assigned. 

After Deputy DA Brandon Boozari objected to a continuance by defense, Nye entered a general time waiver and the request for continuance was granted. Trial settingis on 8/28/26.

Based on covering Mr. Judge and just the pattern of Humboldt Superior Court for a while, there will be endless continuances. 

Nye has picked a new case filed by the DA on 8/19 for possession of meth in jail. 

This isn't the first arrest of convicted felon Javier Akeem Ruiz-Keyes by HCDTF and it is for the same charges

 

I have included some of my coverage of the 2022 case and based on that, why should I believe that this arrest will be handled differently by the Humboldt County DA?

The press release issued by HCDTF is included below.

Deputy DA Ian Harris returned to the office after months today

 

Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris was out of the office for months. He returned to work today. Prior to his leave, cases for drug arrests were handled by him.

Here's hoping that case assignment is handled by him again freeing up his experienced colleagues like Deputy DA Trent Timm for other cases which actually have consequences for public safety.

After 12 plus years, mostly continuances, appeals and minor developments are not a reason for in person coverage and not every Humboldt case is going to get a new post

 

I was the first to report on the Court of Appeals ruling in Daryl Jones case. I did a post on August 19 and August 10. Today, at 1:30 p.m., I doubt anything significant will happen. I have covered this case in details for over a year, the preliminary hearing, the request for mental health diversion in detail and for months. 

After 12 plus years, mostly continuances, appeals and minor developments are not a reason for in person coverage and not every  Humboldt case is going to get a new post. 

Individual customized updates, live or at request and informing my advertisers and contributors first is what is working better for me and those who invest in me financially.

The screenshots are of the two previous August posts. 

Update after hearing: I was correct. Hearing continued by stipulation to 9/21/26. Ms. Joanne Carter present for Jane Doe 1 and 2.

Utah is an example of how courts should operate

 

This is the Utah courthouse. The inside is clean. I have covered the Tyler Robinson and other cases in Utah court. Cases are called and proceed as scheduled. Continuances are rare and for good cause and they are not multiple and for weeks and months. The jail has inmates ready to appear remotely. Utah court also does pleas and attorneys do sometimes have to talk to clients. All this is handled efficiently on the day and the court hearings conclude on the same day. Prosecutors and defense attorneys have their discussions prior to court.