I reached out to Mendocino Sheriff Matt Kendall because FB posts and unsubstantiated claims via email about serious cases is irresponsible to the victims and law enforcement

This was posted on Facebook on 3/13. I have included the entire text. 

I was tagged on FB in these comments on 3/14.

Michael Acosta sent me this in 2022. I ignored it; partly because I could not open the document. He should have known better than to send me claims he cannot substantiate. 

I do not like people speculating and making allegations about law enforcement without proper evidence and it is a disservice to the victims. I know national media has been tagged in the Trefil Facebook post. On social media, people react and then spread misinformation. 

I have reached out to the Mendocino Sheriff Matt Kendall.I did speak briefly speak with Sheriff Kendall this evening. It is late on Friday and I told him I can wait for his written response on Monday.

Conversation in elevator by some jurors in Widmark trial leads to questioning of every juror but results in Judge Steward ruling there was no juror misconduct

(CAL CRIM 201)

Yesterday was Day 25 of the Brandon and Jesse Widmark trial and the 5th day of deliberations after three weeks of jury selection, testimony and evidence. No verdict.

He already has one domestic violation conviction, HCSO arrests Adam Sundberg again for the same charge

 

Adam Daniel Sundberg was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 273.5(a) corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant more commonly known as domestic violence.

Sundberg is no stranger to HCSO. He was arrested in 2016 for kidnapping his ex girlfriend the same charge. The DA charged him with PC 273.5 (a) and violating a domestic violence restraining order.I reported on the resolution of his case in 2018. Adams pleaded guilty to the domestic violence charge; the other count was dismissed.

Sundberg has 29 cases in the Humboldt Superior Court system. They are either traffic or criminal cases from 2007 to 2025.

Reminder to regular readers, note for new readers

There have been a lot of continuances and rescheduling of dates in several cases daily. Those minor updates are being added to the last post on the court case.

"Amici States therefore know from experience that our court system depends on the willingness of lawyers to take on difficult cases and unpopular clients without retribution. An informed, independent judiciary presumes an informed, independent bar. Lawyers should be driven by justice and loyalty to their clients. When those in power demand fealty to themselves instead, the system is undermined. "

(Perkins Coie lawsuit)

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an  an amicus brief today in support of the law firm Perkins Coie LLP’s lawsuit "seeking to block the Trump Administration from retaliating against the firm and its attorneys for no reason other than that it has dared to challenge the Administration in court."

Jurors provided incorrect verdict forms for three charges in the Widmark brother attempted murder jury trial

(This was a photo in April 2023 provided to me by a reader that shows Brandon Widmark's red truck and the collision)

Today is Day 24 of the Brandon and Jesse Widmark jury trial and the third day of deliberations. Jurors were waiting to be let in at 9:38 a.m. and were called into the Coutroom at 9:39 a.m. At 9:47 jurors exited to resume deliberations and were let in the deliberation room at 9:50 a.m.

Santa Barbara judge CJP hearing set for alleged misconduct involving his judicial secretary who he married

 

In January, I did this post on Santa Barbara Judge Michael Carrozzo.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/01/commission-on-judicial-performance.html?m=1

Yesterday, the Commission on Judicial Performance issued a notice and press release about a special masters being appointed for a hearing scheduled for April 14 where evidence will be presented and witnesses will testify about the alleged charges. You can read details about those charges in my January post. The alleged misconduct involves Judge Carrozzo' judicial secretary who he married.

4/4/25: New special masters appointed.

You can call it "Snoozz Inn" but it will always be known as Laguna Inn and the scene of a graphic murder

 

The last time I wrote about Laguna Inn was while covering the Jason Miller case. This is just one of the posts. The former Laguna Inn has been sitting empty for years, supposedly being renovated.

Just this week, I saw this sign. The property still looks crappy and abandoned. The tacky name  and the Humboldt Honey Bigfoot logo style does not appeal to everyone living here; let alone tourists. How long before the property becomes one of the local "drug motels" with EPD being called frequently?  

Convicted sex offender Jacob Roberts arrested two years later and once again for possession of child pornography

 

Fortuna Police Department just issued this press release. I covered Jacob Roberts before and he was arrested again by FPD for the same charge.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/jacob-roberts-arrested-for-possession.html?m=1

"Just FYI the named arrest for the zoo vandalism is Christina Higgins son… "

 

After my post on the Sequoia Park Zoo arrest of 19 year old Andres Deon Escareno-Higgins, I received a tip on March 7. 

"Just FYI the named arrest for the zoo vandalism is Christina Higgins son… "

I verified the Christina Higgins connection via court records today. If you read my blog regularly or even recently, you need no introduction to Christina Higgins.

No charges have been filed yet against Andres Escareno-Higgins for the Zoo arrest. Unlike his mother, two cases come up in Humboldt Superior Court for Andres; one is a guardianship case; the other is a 2019 civil harassment case filed by Andres against Daniel Egger. Temporary orders remained in effect. There was no other court hearing after that or any record that the TRO was made permanent.

In 2022, I did this post.

Dhillon Law Group sends letter regarding defamation to Janssen Malloy, did Hillsdale plaintiffs mislead the public and their attorneys?

(Hillsdale apartments)

(Hillsdale apartments photo John Chiv)

(3/10 court minutes)

Since my post on the 2/24 hearing in the lawsuit filed by two tenants against Dwivedi Tower LLC, a Case Management Conference was scheduled for 8/18/25. Mr. Anil Dwivedi filed an opposition to the preliminary injunction and a declaration on 3/6. The opposition is not entered in ecourt. Mr. Dwivedi's declaration is in e court. Mr. Jeff Slack and Ms. Meagan Yarnall filed a response this morning. Ms. Yarnall's declaration was not added to e court until 3/11. 

I just learned that the The Dhillon Law Group has sent a letter to Janssen Malloy law firm regarding defamation. If you do not recognize the law firm, you should recognize the name Ms. Harmeet Dhillon. I have reached out to Mr. Dwivedi, Mr. Slack and Ms. Yarnall regarding the letter.

David Sprague's daughter breaks down in court as she reads her victim impact statement at Maria Cuevas' sentencing

 

I have been the only one to regularly cover 7th and I colision suspect Maria Cuevas' criminal court case as well as a related civil court case filed against Commerce Enterprises by Jessica Sprague, daughter of David Sprague, the victim who died in one of the collisons. 

As I had written earlier, I anticipated that Ms. Jennifer Dixon, the other victim, would also sue Commerce Enterprises and that Ms. Heidi Wells was her attorney. That complaint was filed on 3/7/25. There is a case management conference on 9/5/25. Documents have not been entered in e court yet. 

On January 16, Cuevas entered a plea for a 25 years, 8 months sentence. Details of that plea are in the 1/16/25 post. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Cuevas' attorney in the criminal case. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for the case.

Before court, I spoke briefly with Shari Sprague. That conversation is private and I will not share details.

Retired Judge Ksenia Tsenin took Cuevas' plea. She was sentenced this morning according to the stipulated plea agreement. 

There was discussion about whether Cuevas should serve her VOP violation concurrently or consecutively with the sentence in this criminal case. Judge Tsenin said it would be consecutive.

Sheriff Honsal, DA Eads, Deputy DAs, DA Investigators and HCSO deputies filled the courtroom for closing arguments in the Widmark jury trial

 

(Jesse Widmark)

(Brandon Widmark)

Yesterday, after sitting through 21 days of an intense jury trial, jurors in the Brandon and Jesse Widmark jury trial finally got to hear closing arguments. 

Frank Alves arrested on a Ramey warrant and booked for kidnapping, rape, forcible sexual penetration and lewd act on a dependent adult

 

61 year old Frank Emanuel Alves was arrested yesterday by HCSO  on a Ramey warrant and booked for PC 289(b) forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object, PC 288(b)(2) lewd act by a caretaker on a dependent adult, PC 209(b)(1) kidnapping and PC 261(a)(2) rape by force or fear. Bail at booking was $750,000. 

3/11: DA filed charges today. Arraignment was completed this afternoon. Alves is charged with three felonies. Bail was set to schedule at $250,000 by Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin. Alves' has retained Mr. Ken Bareilles. Criminal protective order was served in court. OR bail hearing on 3/13. Preliminary hearing is on 3/21.

3/13: OR bail request by defense denied by Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin without prejudice;  supervised release also denied without prejudice. Discovery agreement and order signed by Judge Tsenin.

EPD arrests two yesterday for Feb 16 incident at the Sequoia Park Zoo

Eureka Police Department issued a press release this afternoon about two arrests yesterday for felony vandalism, felony charge of conspiracy to commit a crime and entering an animal enclosure. One of the suspects, a minor was also arrested for petty theft.  This is from a February 16 incident at the Sequoia Park Zoo.

I received a tip about 19 year old Andres Deon Escareno-Higgins which I am in the processof verifying and will update the post.

Former Marcelli's location to reopen as Smalls offering food and wine

 

(Photo: John Chiv)

(Photo: John Chiv)

The former Marcelli's location on 5th street in Eureka has been empty for years. Smalls, a new eatery, has applied for a wine license. From the sign and furniture inside, it looks like they are close to opening.

Defense motion to dismiss charge against Brandon Widmark denied; Jesse Widmark testifies and throws brother under the bus, evidence concludes in the Widmark brother trial

 

(Weapons recovered after Brandon and Jesse Widmark's arrest)

3/3/25 was a busy day in the Brandon and Jesse Widmark jury trial. The People had rested their case on Friday. 

Evidence has concluded in the trial this morning. Jesse Widmark's defense case proceeded before Brandon Widmark's case.

Fortuna Police pursuit of fleeing suspect resulted in collision with utility pole on O street

Fortuna Police Department issued the following press release a couple of minutes ago.