Fortuna Police Department press release:

On July 25, 2019 at approximately 11 am, Fortuna Police Officers were dispatched to a residence on the 3300 block of Kenmar Road for a report of a physical assault between a male and a female victim.  Itwas also reported the male involved had threatened to shoot the victim’s vehicle.  When officers arrived, they learned the subjects involved had left and were staying at a local motel in Fortuna.

Officers responded to the motel and located the female victim and Brett Mehrtens of Fortuna.  During the course of the investigation, Officers searched the motel room that Mehrtens and the victim were sharing as well as a vehicle associated with them.  As a result of the search, officers located the following items:


            -Approximately 6 ounces of  suspected heroin

            -Approximately 7 grams of suspected methamphetamine

            -Various prescription medication

            -Digital scales and packaging materials

            -Several live 45 caliber rounds of ammunition

            -A 45 caliber handgun

Mehrtens was also found to be in possession of approximately $1600.00 in US currency that is believed to be profits from narcotics sales.

Mehrtens was booked for felony domestic violence, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, criminal threats, being armed with a firearm in the commission of a felony, and violation of probation.