Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 12, 2019, at about 3:02 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a residence on the 6600 block of Fields Landing Drive, in Fields Landing, for the report of an assault that had just occurred.

According to the male victim, the suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Joeseph Ryan Stuckey, approached the victim outside of his home. Stuckey reportedly struck the victim in the face and then fled on foot, entering Highway 101 southbound.

The deputy quickly located Stuckey walking along Highway 101. The deputy exited his patrol vehicle and ordered Stuckey to yield. Stuckey failed to obey and began walking toward the deputy. Stuckey informed the deputy that he was in possession of weapons and began to reach for them as he continued to approach. The deputy, acting out of extreme caution, began to retreat from Stuckey and continued ordering Stuckey to yield while waiting for backup to arrive.

During this time, an off-duty Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy traveling in the area of US 101 and Fields Landing observed the situation unfolding and stopped to assist the deputy. Traffic along Highway 101 southbound temporarily came to a stop as Stuckey entered the highway. Stuckey continued to disregard deputies while maintaining his approach, at which time one deputy deployed a department-issued taser. After a brief struggle with deputies, Stuckey was taken into custody.

While searching Stuckey, deputies located two knives in his pocket.

Stuckey was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, resisting a peace officer and assault.

During this incident, a non-injury traffic collision occurred nearby on Highway 101. This collision was unrelated to the incident with Stuckey.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of the “Move Over” law, which requires all motorists to move over a lane, if safe to do so, or slow down when law enforcement or emergency vehicles displaying emergency lights are present on the side of the roadway. Your cooperation with the Move Over law helps keep you and our deputies safe!