#DC-0070
Shasta-Trinity Forest Service case
Investigation
last updated 19 July 2026 · 3 sources
Confirmed facts
10
Open questions
5
Employees
2
Arrests
2
This case is still developing. Get an email when the file updates.
Timeline of what's confirmed10 entries
16 July 2026
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said two U.S. Forest Service employees were conducting routine field operations in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest when they were taken.
AP
16 July 2026, 8:00 a.m.
Schultz said the Forest Service received word that the two employees had been kidnapped at 8:00 a.m.
Los Angeles Times
16 July 2026, before 11:00 a.m.
CBS News, citing Schultz, reported the employees were kidnapped sometime before 11:00 a.m. while conducting field work in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
CBS News
16 July 2026, shortly before 11:00 a.m.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said his office was notified by U.S. Forest Service officials shortly before 11:00 a.m.
Los Angeles Times
16 July 2026, around noon
AP reported that Siskiyou County deputies reached the remote area around noon and deployed drones to help locate the trailer.
AP
16 July 2026, around 1:00 p.m.
LaRue said deputies located the trailer around 1:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Times
16 July 2026, shortly after 4:00 p.m.
LaRue said authorities began direct negotiations shortly after 4:00 p.m. with Joseph Charles Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen.
CBS News
17 July 2026, 1:50 a.m.
The Los Angeles Times, citing authorities, reported that the two employees were released at 1:50 a.m.
Los Angeles Times
17 July 2026, about 2:30 a.m.
Authorities said Joseph Charles Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen exited the trailer about 2:30 a.m. and were taken into custody.
Los Angeles Times
18 July 2026
AP reported that U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said he planned to charge both men with kidnapping federal employees, but no charges were listed in online court records Saturday afternoon; the Los Angeles Times separately reported Grant said both men had been charged.
AP; Los Angeles Times
Open questionsunconfirmed · not conclusions
Have federal charges been formally filed in court?unconfirmed; AP reported no charges listed online on 18 July 2026 while the Los Angeles Times reported both men had been charged · unconfirmed
What motive, if any, have investigators identified?unconfirmed; CBS News reported investigators did not yet have a motive · unconfirmed
Did Joseph Charles Henrichsen or Phoenix Henrichsen own or reside in the trailer?unconfirmed; CBS News reported officials could not confirm this · unconfirmed
Were any grenades found at the scene?unconfirmed; CBS News reported only that a suspect claimed to have grenades · unconfirmed
What is the exact duration the employees were held?unconfirmed conflict; AP and CBS News reported more than 12 hours, while the Los Angeles Times reported more than 17 hours · unconfirmed
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