Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 02-11-2015, at approximately 11:40 a.m., a Sheriff’s Sergeant with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was conducting foot patrol in the downtown Garberville area.  The Sergeant was walking in the 400 block of Maple Lane when he observed a Ford Explorer parked in a private parking lot.

The Sergeant contacted two people who were associated with the vehicle; Shaun Stringfellow and Heidi Durtsche. Additional Sheriff’s Deputies were then dispatched and responded to the scene to assist the Sergeant.

During the course of the investigation, deputies learned that Stringfellow is a local probationer for narcotics violations.  Stringfellow’s probation terms include a search and seizure clause.  The deputies searched Stringfellow’s vehicle and located over an ounce of suspected black tar heroin.  Also located were several digital scales, drug paraphernalia, over 5 pounds of processed marijuana, and several ounces of concentrated cannabis.

It was determined that Durtsche was in direct possession of suspected black tar heroin and drug paraphernalia during the investigation.

Stringfellow was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana / concentrated cannabis, and violation of probation. Durtsche was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation.  Both subjects were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for booking.  Bail was set at $60,000 for Stringfellow and $55,000 for Durtsche   

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.