Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

On 04-13-2012, approximately 7:00 p.m. deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office Community Response Unit (C.R.U.) assisted by agents from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force ( H.C.D.T.F.), conducted a prostitution sting. The C.R.U. deputies utilized the Blue Lake Casino Hotel after setting up meetings the prostitutes which they arranged on line. The Casino contacted the Sheriff’s office requesting their assistance due to possible illegal drug trafficking and prostitution occurring on their premises’ and in the hotel. The casino has a zero tolerance for illegal activities.

Deputies initially arrested two women, Melissa Ann Bardin, 20 years from Fortuna, and Krystal Lynne Rojas, 24 years old from Santa Cruz. Both women were arrested after they propositioned an undercover deputy. They arrived at the hotel room together. They were booked and released from the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on a charge of prostitution and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. another female showed up at the hotel in response to the undercover deputy’s internet inquiry. After soliciting the deputy for sex, the female was arrested. She was identified as Josephine Kathleen West, 22 years old from Eureka. Deputies located illegal prescription drugs and narcotics in her purse. She was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on possession of a controlled substance, possession of illegal prescriptions and prostitution. She was booked and released.

On 04-14-2012, approximately 7:00 p.m. C.R.U. deputies and H.C.D.T.F. personnel set up another prostitution sting at the same hotel, utilizing the internet. Angelisa Rachelle-Le Hermans, 22 years old from Eureka met with the undercover deputy and propositioned him. She was arrested for prostitution and was booked and released from the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

On 04-14-2012, 8:00 p.m. C.R.U. deputies and H.C.D.T.F. agents conducted a sting on Johns at
the Blue Lake hotel. Deputies utilized the internet again. The male deputies posed as female prostitutes on the internet and invited the John’s to their hotel room. Deputies arrested two males, Mark Anthony Martello, 51 years old from Crescent City, and Casey Jay Tibbets, 32 years old from McKinelyville, for solicitation of prostitution. Martello was also in possession of approximately an eight of an ounce of suspected cocaine. He was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. He was booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance, and solicitation for sex, his bail as set at $25,000.00. When deputies arrested Tibbets they located concentrated cannabis and controlled substances, (prescription drugs). He was arrested for solicitation for sex, and possession of concentrated cannabis and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $25,000.00.

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. Humboldt County Drug Task Force can be reached at 707-444-8095. If you live in the City Limits of Eureka the Eureka Police Problem Oriented Policing Unit can be reached at 707-441-4373.