Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:

 On 07-06-2013, approximately 3:00 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was traveling southbound on Highway 255 in Samoa when a brown 1987 Nissan Frontier approached the deputy northbound with its high beam lights on. The deputy twice flashed the vehicle with his headlights in an attempt to get the driver of the Nissan to dim its headlights. When the driver failed to dim his high beam lights the deputy turned his patrol car around to stop the vehicle. When the deputy turned his patrol car around, the Nissan accelerated to avoid the deputy and lost control as it attempted to negotiate a turn, causing it to almost tip over with two of its driver’s side wheels coming off the ground. The deputy saw either smoke or dust come out from under Nissan which then stalled out. The deputy pulled in behind the Nissan and contacted the driver who was identified as Richard Michael Callahan, 57 years old, from Redway and the passenger identified as Rebecca Kathleen Chapa, 28 years from Eureka. 

Callahan told the deputy his low beam headlights did not work which is why he did not dim them. He also said his license was suspended which is why he tried to avoid the deputy. While speaking with Callahan and Chapa the deputy saw a hypodermic syringe visible in a purse in the passenger side of the car and marijuana leaves scattered in the backseat. The deputy arrested Callahan for driving on a suspended driver’s license and detained Chapa for possession of the syringe. The deputy searched the purse and found prescription pills that were not in the name of Chapa. The deputy then searched the vehicle and located scales, packaging material and a golf ball sized piece of tar heroin weighing approximately 9 grams, along with a stun gun. When questioned about the Heroin by the deputy, Callahan told the deputy he intended to sell it for profit. He told the deputy, “Everyone is doing it, so he figured he would to get ahead of the game.”

Callahan and Chapa were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Callahan was booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, and driving on a suspended driver’s license. His bail was set at $50,000.00. Chapa was booked on charges of possession of a syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation. He bail was set at $20,000.00.

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.