The Beat Goes On
Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel
HUMBOLDT’S LATEST INTERNET SCAM
Eureka– On 3/20/13, the Eureka Police Department received a report of a computer-related scam that’s now affecting some local residents. Victims are reporting a pop-up message that appear on their personal computer and is purportedly from the “Department of Homeland Security National Cyber Security Division.”
The message, which appears to be a form of malware/virus known as “ransomware,” states: “The work of your computer has been suspended on the grounds of the violation of the law of the United States of America.”
It further declares, “This computer has been blocked.”
The message remains locked in the front of one’s screen and the user is unable to close it or access other programs. It essentially freezes the computer. The message instructs the user that to “unlock” the computer they are “obliged to pay a fine of $300.00.” It further states they must pay this fine through “MoneyPak” within 48 hours by using Green Dot MoneyPak that’s available through Walmart, Kmart, Rite Aid and other major retailers.
If the fine has not been paid, it threatens the user will become the subject of criminal prosecution without the right to pay the fine. The warning asserts once you pay the “fine” your computer will be unblocked. The “fine” is paid by entering your $300.00 MoneyPak code into a box on the pop-up warning screen and clicking ok.
The warning screen is very convincing with logos from Homeland Security as well as major retailers such as Walmart. Walmart and the other retailers are not associated with this scam. Alternate versions of this same scam may use the FBI’s logo.
Anyone receiving this message should not enter a MoneyPak code or any other payment method into the screen. Users should file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at:
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.
Additional information concerning this scam may be found at the following Internet links:
http://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts/green-dot-moneypak-scam
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2012/121130.aspx
SEARCH WARRANTS AND METH
Mr. Ross
Fortuna– On March 20, 2013 at about 07:30 am, officers of the Fortuna Police Department served a search warrant on a residence located in the 2300 block of Newburg Road.
During the execution of the warrant officers located over:
- 12 grams of suspected methamphetamine packaged for sale
- Additional packaging materials
- A digital scale and $3,000 in US currency
Phillip Allen Ross (50) of Fortuna was arrested on the following charges:
· HS 11379: Possession of controlled substance for sale
· HS 11377: Possession of controlled substance.
· HS 11364: Possession of drug paraphernalia
· HS 11366.5 Maintaining a drug house
Mr. Hutchins
James Eugene Hutchins (52) of Fortuna was arrested on the following charges:
· HS 11364: Possession of drug paraphernalia
· PC 1203.2 Probation violation
Both Ross and Hutchins were transported to the Humboldt County Jail where they were booked without further incident.
FORTUNA MAN AND MINOR BUSTED ON MULIPLE BURGLARIES
Fortuna– On March 20, 2013 at about 2:00 am, a Vancil Street resident reported that he believed someone had just taken several items from his vehicle. While officers were in the area, the initial victim re-contacted the department to report that he had seen a white two-door older model car in the area which he did not recognize.
Officers continued to search for the vehicle and at about 2:30 am, a sergeant observed a vehicle matching the description leaving the area. Based on the information received as well as several observed vehicle code violations, an enforcement stop was conducted in the area of Main Street and Harlan Way.
The occupants of the vehicle were identified as 25-year-old Edward Brinson Jr. of Eureka, and a 15-year-old male of Eureka.
Upon further investigation, officers observed burglary tools and suspected stolen property in the back seat of the vehicle and determined that Brinson was on Felony Probation for Possession of Stolen Property and had an extensive history of theft related convictions.
Brinson and the minor were both taken into custody. During a search of Brinson’s person, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
Mr. Brinson was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:
- Petty Theft with a Prior
- Grand Theft
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Possession of Stolen Property
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Violation of Probation
- Vandalism
The minor was transported to Humboldt County Juvenile Hall and booked on the following charges:
- Grand Theft
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Possession of Stolen Property
- Possession of Concentrated Cannabis
Currently, the department has identified eight victims all of which reside in the northern portion of Fortuna.
The Fortuna Police Department is asking that any additional victims or witnesses contact the department at 707-725-7550.
UNSUPERVISED PROBATIONER NODDING OFF… AGAIN
Eureka– On 3-18-13, at about 3:30 pm, an officer with the Eureka Police Department received a tip about a male subject passed out inside a white van parked on the 1500 block of 2nd Street, Eureka. The officer responded to the location and located the white Chrysler van in the parking lot of the apartment building there.
The officer approached the van and observed a male subject, later identified as Michael Edward Sovereign, slumped over in the driver’s seat. Nodding off. Again.
The officer woke Sovereign who stated he was “just taking a nap.” A records check revealed Sovereign was on formal felony probation for possession of a controlled substance. His probation terms included submitting to search and seizure.
During a subsequent search of Sovereign’s person pursuant to his probation conditions, the officer located a baggie containing approximately 12.3 grams (nearly ½ ounce) of crystal methamphetamine.
The officer then conducted an additional probation search at Sovereign’s nearby apartment. Inside Sovereign’s room, the officer located a realistic air soft pistol with its safety markings removed, drug use paraphernalia (glass meth pipe), and a hockey puck-sized piece of suspected concentrated cannabis/hash (approximately 41.2 grams or 1 ½ ounces).
Sovereign, age 67 of Eureka, was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of a controlled substance and probation violation.
DOJ ANNOUNCES POT-TRAFFICKING RING TAKEN OUT
Fortuna– Six people were arrested, assault rifles were seized, and thousands of marijuana plants were uprooted Wednesday after a three-year investigation by a state drug task force uncovered a pot-trafficking ring, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Michelle Gregory, a California Department of Justice spokeswoman, said North State Marijuana Investigation Team (MSMIT) agents served 12 search warrants in the Rio Dell, Fortuna and Bridgeville areas of Humboldt County, and also in the cities of San Francisco and Sonoma.
Investigators from state and local law enforcement agencies found 2,896 plants, 400 hundreds pounds of processed pot, 44 weapons, 15 high-capacity magazines, 2 ounces of cocaine, 2 ounces psychedelic mushrooms and $74,000 in cash.
The pot was being sold illegally on the street throughout the United States. “We have shut down an illegal, multi-state operation,” California Attorney General Kamala Harris said in a statement.
Eric Sordal, 31, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, marijuana cultivation and possession of assault weapons.
Also arrested were:
- Jamie Gilbert, 35
- Scott Moore, 31
- Emory Ayers, 64
- Shawn Mitten, 35
- Alvin Machado, 27
They were being held on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale and other charges.
Officials said two additional warrants were served at a Coldwell Banker office and a Fortuna storage unit.
In 2010, NSMIT agents received a tip and launched an investigation. The DOJ task force was assisted by a gaggle of agencies– …almost everyone EXCEPT the Donut Police.
The participating law organizations were: the Alcohol Beverage Control, California Highway Patrol, Central Valley Marijuana Investigation Team, DEA, Eureka Police Department, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Humboldt County Drug Task Force, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain and Valley Marijuana Investigation Team, Siskiyou County-wide Interagency Narcotic Task Force, and Trinity County Sheriff’s Office.
That’s a whole lotta folks, folks.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY FAIR BOARD DISINTEGRATING UNDER PRESSURE
Ferndale– You might recall our previous story on the alleged Brown Act violations by the Humboldt County Fair Board.
Now another member of the Humboldt County Fair Board has resigned from his position, as controversy continues with fair management, and a looming grand jury investigation into the board’s actions. Two board members have been subpoenaed by the Grand Jury, and possibly more. And they’re not talking about it, either.
Humboldt County Fair Director Ken Christen announced his resignation “effective immediately” in a formal letter to the board, stating, “I can no longer support the current board and the path they have chosen to take regarding the fair manager and the direction in which the fair is headed.”
Christen added a thank you to Stuart Titus for his 22 years of work with the fair. It was the non-renewal of Titus’ contract that sparked controversy and investigation into the board. Don Becker and John Burger resigned from the fair board in early February.
The remaining members– those still standing and present, that is– are set to meet in a regularly scheduled session on Monday.
