GARBERVILLE – On April 1, 2019, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies and California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens conducted foot patrols of several locations in the Garberville and Redway areas where people are known to trespass on private property.

“This type of trespassing, where people are essentially camping out, can pose a danger for property owners and law enforcement officers who investigate it,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “In addition, the waste that stems from these encampments can harm the environment.”

During their patrol, deputies and wardens contacted several people who were advised that they were trespassing and needed to vacate the property. Trespassing suspects were also connected with social services available to them through the County of Humboldt. Additionally, during their patrol, deputies and wardens discovered several illegal encampments with an abundance of solid waste, illegal water diversions, unpermitted multi-story structures, oil contamination in local waterways from the use of generators, and drug paraphernalia and narcotics.

Arrested were:

Christopher Jason Bartley, 40, on a felony warrant for transportation / sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales and violation of probation.

Kristie Ann Polton, 44, on a misdemeanor warrant for possession of a controlled substance and fresh charges of possession of a controlled substance, false identification to a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff’s deputies are working with the property owners, community members and resource providers to arrange a clean-up of these encampments.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office offered its gratitude to  the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for its assistance with the patrol operation.