Crime

Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 25-to-life for Kneeland Murder

By Thadeus Greenson on May 24, 2023 at 6:31PM

NEWS RELEASE 5/24/2023 Today, Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced 28-year-old Austin M. Medeiros of Rhode Island to serve 25 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of 28-year-old Emily Lobba. Medeiros was ordered to serve an additional 6 years, four months for felony evading, theft of a vehicle, and assaultive crimes committed against other victims, including a Humboldt County Corrections Officer.

Prominent Foster Parent Arrested in 'Lewd Acts' Investigation

By Thadeus Greenson on May 24, 2023 at 4:19PM

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office arrested a prominent local foster parent yesterday on suspicion of committing lewd acts against a minor. In response to a Journal inquiry seeking more information about the circumstances of the arrest, sheriff’s office spokesperson Samantha Karges said William Scott Peugh, 46, was arrested at 4:30 yesterday afternoon on suspicion of a violation of penal code section 288 (c)(1) as the result of an ongoing investigation.

The crash scene at Harris and Dolbeer streets.

Sheriff's Office Releases Names of Officers Who Wounded Suspects in April Shooting

By Thadeus Greenson on May 19, 2023 at 1:27PM

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has identified the three officers who fired their guns in an April 18 shooting in Eureka that left two suspects in critical conditions. The shooting came after a report of an armed robbery at the Bayshore Mall led to a police pursuit that ended when the suspect vehicle crashed at the intersection of Harris and Dolbeer streets in Eureka, at which point the suspects — Brandon and Jess Widmark, 27 and 18, respectively — allegedly got out of their car with rifles in hand.

Arcata Man Arrested on Child Rape Allegations

By Thadeus Greenson on May 11, 2023 at 4:57PM

In late February of this year, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division received information regarding an adult male suspected of sexually assaulting two (2) juvenile females who were ages nine (9) and ten (10) at the time of the incident. The male was not a family member but was known to the female juveniles.

McKinleyville Man Arrested in Child Pornography Case

By Thadeus Greenson on May 11, 2023 at 4:46PM

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 31-year-old McKinleyville man on suspicion of possessing child pornography. According to a press release, Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes was taken into custody at 7 a.m. today as investigators with the sheriff's office's Major Crimes Division served a search warrant at his home on the 1100 block of Killdeer Road.

Rape Crisis Team, Arcata Police Collaborate on Anonymous Reporting System

By Ollie Hancock on May 5, 2023 at 7:00AM

When calling the North Coast Rape Crisis Team’s 24/7 crisis line to report a drink spiking, callers will now have the option to anonymously forward details to the Arcata Police Department. NCRCT receives 20-plus calls a month regarding drug-facilitated assault, according to Executive Director Amanda LeBlanc.

Father, Son Identified as Those Killed in Fortuna Murder-Suicide

By Thadeus Greenson on April 25, 2023 at 12:05PM

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the two people found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Fortuna on Sunday as Wendell Bott IV, 48, and his son, Wendell Bott V, 20. Fortuna Police Chief Casey Day said police were alerted to the possible murder of Wendell Bott V by a family member who came into the station about 4:40 p.m. asking to speak to an officer.

Fortuna Police Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide

By Thadeus Greenson on April 24, 2023 at 9:14AM

The Fortuna Police Department is investigating an apparent murder-suicide that left two men dead in a residence on the 2300 block of Newburg Road yesterday afternoon. Police were called to the scene after a “suspected homicide,” with an adult male suspect reportedly armed and barricaded inside the residence, according to a press release.

Sheriff's Lieutenant Arrested After Allegedly Pulling Gun During Domestic Disturbance

By Thadeus Greenson on April 20, 2023 at 1:30PM

A Humboldt County Sheriff's Office lieutenant has been arrested on charges of brandishing a firearm and making criminal threats during a domestic disturbance in McKinleyville. According to a press release, Lt. Samuel David Williams, 46, turned himself into the jail today after an arrest warrant was issued in the case, which stems from a March 24 incident.

The scene of a police shooting at Dolbeer and Harris streets in Eureka.

UPDATE: Two Shot by Police After Pursuit, Reported Armed Robbery in Eureka

By Thadeus Greenson on April 18, 2023 at 5:09PM

UPDATE: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has determined that a third man wanted for questioning in the incident that included a police shooting this afternoon is not a suspect and was uninvolved but fled the scene upon seeing guns drawn, according to spokesperson Samantha Karges. No additional suspects are believed to be outstanding.

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