Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

On 04-22-2014, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was patrolling in downtown Garberville when he saw Michael Lee Russell, 27 years old, a local transient. The deputy was aware Russell had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The deputy contacted Russell on the sidewalk in front of the Lone Pine Hotel, where he arrested him. After placing Russell under arrest, the deputy asked him if he had any sharp items in his pockets before the deputy searched him. Russell told the deputy he had methamphetamine in his pocket.

The deputy located over 5 grams of methamphetamine, a scale and $100 in cash in Russell’s possession. Russell was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession for sale of a controlled substance, along with the arrest warrant. His total bail is set at $80,000.00.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.