From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 09-08-2015 at 12:20 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff Office Deputies were dispatched to Trinity Automotive in Willow Creek for a suspicious note left on a vehicle.  The note was written and signed by a female.  The female indicated that her life was in danger and if she did not show up to pick up her car by Monday “To Call the Police!”

The note further indicated she may be being held against her will at an address off the 200 block of Panther Road, Willow Creek.  When deputies responded to the address on Panther Road to conduct welfare check they discovered a commercial marijuana growing operation.

A Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant was obtained for the property. The female who left the note on the car was not located at the residence. Several people at the residence stated, she left a day ago on her own free will.

When deputies searched the residence and property they located 2-3 grams of methamphetamines, 160 lbs. of processed marijuana, 278 marijuana plants that were 4’ to 9’ in height. Four (4) firearms and $5,530 in cash.

Deputies arrested 44 year old, Kenneth Richard Ashe at the scene for possession of methamphetamine, cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana and for being armed in the commission of a felony. Ashe was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. Ashe’s bail was set at $75,000 dollars.

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