Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On 8-25-2014, at approximately 10:00 p.m. two Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies saw a white 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo driving erratically on US 101 in Orick. The deputies initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and spoke with the driver. The driver identified himself as Brian Keith MacPhetridge, 39 years old, from Colfax, California.  While speaking with MacPhetridge, the deputies could smell the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A DMV check with Sheriff’s Office dispatch revealed MacPhetridge was on probation for driving with a suspended license, and he was driving without a valid license. The deputies asked MacPhetridge if he was transporting marijuana. He told them he had one to two ounces of loose marijuana in his vehicle. He also told them he had a doctor’s recommendation allowing him to possess marijuana for medical purposes, which he showed to the deputies.  MacPhetridge told the deputies he drives to Humboldt County to hang out and buy marijuana, because it’s cheaper than other areas.

The deputies searched MacPhetridge’s vehicle and located approximately 14 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle, packaged in various forms. The deputies also located paperwork indicating he had been cultivating and selling marijuana.

MacPhetridge was arrested for transportation of marijuana, possession over an ounce of marijuana, and driving without a valid driver’s license. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on the charges. His bail was set at $25,000.

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.