Father, son accused of holding US Forest Service workers hostage
Father faces kidnapping charge after armed hostage standoff in California
Two US Forest Service employees were allegedly held at gunpoint and zip-tied inside a trailer by a California father and son while conducting fieldwork in Northern California, authorities said.
According to officials, the incident happened on July 16 near Gumboot Lake in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The workers were safely released early the next morning after an hours-long standoff.
Father charged after alleged hostage ordeal
At a July 17 press conference, US Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the employees were carrying out fieldwork when they were taken hostage.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue identified the suspects as Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his adult son, Phoenix Henrichsen. Authorities alleged the pair zip-tied the workers and held them at gunpoint inside a trailer.
LaRue said Joseph allegedly told the employees he had firearms and ammunition and wanted to speak with the FBI.
The workers were released unharmed at about 1:50 a.m. local time, and Joseph later surrendered to authorities. FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh said Joseph has been charged with kidnapping a federal employee. It remains unclear whether Phoenix faces any charges.
Authorities praise safe resolution
Tosh said Joseph was armed with an AR-15 and knives and claimed to have grenades during the incident.
The FBI, Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, US Forest Service and several other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.
Schultz said the agency was "profoundly grateful and relieved" that both employees were released safely, adding that their well-being remains the Forest Service's highest priority as they recover from the ordeal.
