Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 06-14-2015, at approximately 10:15 a.m., a Sergeant with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling the river bar near Bear Canyon Bridge, Garberville.  The Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints of illegal camping, garbage dumping, and other criminal behavior along local waterways.

While patrolling the river bar, the Sergeant contacted two subjects near a parked vehicle.  The subjects were identified as Shaun Stringfellow (age 34) and (age 46).  The Sergeant recognized both Stringfellow and Durtsche from a previous arrest in Garberville dated 02-11-15.  During this incident, Stringfellow and Durtsche where placed under arrest for narcotic sales.  

Today, it was discovered that Stringfellow and Durtsche had outstanding felony warrants for their arrest.  Durtsche was taken into custody without incident.  When the Sergeant attempted to place Stringfellow under arrest, Stringfellow fled on foot for a short distance.  After a brief foot pursuit, Stringfellow was taken into custody without further incident.  

A search of Stringfellow’s vehicle yielded approximately 5.4 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 2.0 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, a jar containing concentrated cannabis, and approximately 2 pounds of marijuana.

Heidi Durtsche

Stringfellow and Durtsche were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for booking.  Durtsche was booked for her outstanding warrants and her bail was set at $90,000.  Stringfellow was booked on his outstanding warrants, along with fresh charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and violation of probation.  Stringfellow’s bail was set at $125,000.  

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

Drugs seized during the arrest.