TWO MEN CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING U.S. FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYEES DURING 15-HOUR HOSTAGE STANDOFF

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two men have been arrested and federally charged with kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service employees at gunpoint and holding them inside a trailer during a 15-hour standoff in a remote section of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, were arrested on Monday, July 20, following an extensive law-enforcement response in Siskiyou County. Both men remain in custody.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the charges for the Eastern District of California.

According to court documents, the two Forest Service employees were performing fieldwork near Gumboot Lake Campground when they were allegedly confronted and abducted at gunpoint.

The defendants are accused of restraining the employees, binding their hands, and taking them to a trailer. The victims were allegedly held there for approximately 15 hours while armed threats were made against anyone attempting to intervene.

During the incident, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly used one victim’s telephone to place a call announcing that he had taken two federal Forest Service employees hostage. He reportedly stated that one victim was restrained with zip ties and warned that he had live ammunition prepared for anyone who attempted to confront him.

The call alerted authorities to the hostage situation and triggered a large-scale response involving local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies. The remote location of the campground and the reported presence of firearms added to the danger facing the victims and responding personnel.

The standoff continued for approximately 15 hours as authorities worked to secure the employees’ release without further endangering them. Negotiators from the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team eventually obtained the release of both victims and the surrender of Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen.

Both Forest Service employees survived the incident. Authorities did not release their names or provide additional information concerning any physical injuries or medical treatment.

The federal kidnapping charge reflects the victims’ employment with the U.S. Forest Service and the alleged interference with federal personnel conducting official duties on federal land. Prosecutors will be required to prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Land Management, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Shasta Police Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California Highway Patrol.

The number of participating agencies reflects the complexity of responding to an armed hostage situation in a remote national-forest environment. The operation required investigative coordination, tactical resources, perimeter security, emergency response capabilities, and sustained negotiations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Campbell is prosecuting the case for the Eastern District of California.

If convicted, Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen face a maximum statutory penalty of life in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum penalty is not a predetermined sentence. Any punishment would be imposed by a federal district court judge after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, the circumstances of the offense, the defendants’ criminal histories, and other statutory factors.

The charges against Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen remain allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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