LoCO Note: Michael Acosta is currently licensed to practice law in the State of California.

Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

 

After a year-long investigation, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) served search warrants at multiple locations in Eureka. The focus of the investigation included the suspected illegal narcotics and firearms trafficking of Eureka resident, Michael Philip Acosta (age 49). This investigation included dozens of citizen complaints regarding Acosta’s residence located in the 4000 block of Cedar Street, Eureka. Over the course of this investigation, numerous subjects were arrested arriving / leaving Acosta’s residence for a variety of criminal offenses. HCDTF’s search warrant also included a residence located in the 2100 block of Home Drive, Eureka, a residence in the 2200 block of Union Street, Eureka, and storage units located in the 2300 block of Fern Street, Eureka.

On February 4th, 2020, at approximately 6:25 p.m., special agents with the HCDTF, with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department POP team, officers from the Arcata Police Department, investigators from the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, and deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, simultaneously served search warrants at the aforementioned locations. The following subjects were contacted and subsequently arrested at Acosta’s residence:

• Michael Philip Acosta - Possession of controlled substances for sales; own, operate, maintain known drug house

• Sarah Marie Carroll (age 37) - Possession of controlled substances; own, operate, maintain known drug house

• Tracie Judith Nichols (age 46) – Possession of controlled substances for sales and possession of drug paraphernalia

• Bryan Edward McBeth (age 36) – Possession of controlled substances and violation of probation

• Ashley Morgan Asti (age 31) – Possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and outstanding misdemeanor warrants

 

At the Home Drive location, officers contacted and detained the resident, Richard Lee Haberman (age 73). At this location agents seized nearly ½ pound of suspected heroin and dozens of firearms. Of the firearms, one was determined to be stolen and two were found to be California noncompliant assault rifles. In addition, an illegally possessed bump-stock was located. Haberman was subsequently placed under arrest for possession of controlled substances for sales, possession of controlled substances while armed, maintaining a residence for narcotics trafficking, and numerous firearms violations.

All subjects listed above were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

In total, this investigation resulted in the seizure of 41 firearms, over ½ pound of suspected heroin, 19 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 10 grams of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), digital scales, drug packaging materials, and dozens of illegally possessed prescription narcotics. This investigation is ongoing and HCDTF anticipates additional arrest(s) in the near future.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.