Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 06-03-2020 at about 11:33 p.m., Mendocino County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the Round Valley Tribal Police office to contact a person who reported he was kidnapped and robbed while in Covelo, California.  

When Deputies arrived they contacted a 23-year-old male, and three other male subjects.

The 23-year-old male’s brother-in-law translated for the male as he only spoke Spanish. Deputies learned the 23-year-old male and other listed victims all worked on a marijuana grow site in Covelo.  

Deputies learned on 06-02-2020 at about 1 p.m., the owner of the property, identified as Emergene Phillips, arrived at the property in a Ford Edge. 

Upon arrival, Phillips exited the vehicle and started yelling at the 23-year-old male and another of the listed victims. The 23-year-old male did not understand what Phillips was saying so he contacted his brother-in-law to respond to the location and translate for them.  

The brother-in-law was reportedly told by Phillips that the 23-year-old male and one of the other listed victims owed Phillips $30,000 and that Phillips wanted the money. 

Phillips was told the payment would not be possible until after the marijuana was harvested and sold.  

Phillips retrieved a black colored rifle from the rear of the Ford Edge and fired it three times into the air while demanding payment. 

Phillips was told that they did not have any money to give him and Phillips then pointed the rifle at the pair (23-year-old male and one of the other listed victims) before leaving a short time later.  

On 06-03-2020 at about 8 p.m., Phillips returned to the marijuana grow site with another subject identified as Leonard Whipple (AKA Ed Davis).  

The 23-year-old male attempted to run, but heard a gunshot and stopped. He turned around and observed Phillips holding a silver color handgun. Phillips started yelling, approached the 23-year-old male and hit him in the upper back twice with the pistol prior to pushing him to his knees.  

Phillips pointed the gun at the 23-year-old male and told him to call his brother-in-law. During the call Phillips reportedly told the brother-in-law that he would shoot the 23-year-old male if Phillips did not receive the payment.  

Phillips forced the 23-year-old male into the rear seat of the vehicle he and Whipple arrived in.

Phillips and Whipple drove around Covelo with the 23-year-old male while searching for the brother-in-law. Phillips called the brother-in-law several times demanding money or that he would kill the 23-year-old male.  

Phillips later released the 23-year-old male on Airport Road and drove away with Whipple.  

Deputies observed marks and bruising on the 23-year-old male’s back which were consistent with the reported pistol whipping.

The area where the incident originally took place was processed for evidence. Deputies also checked the area for Phillips and Whipple but were unable to locate them.

Phillips was subsequently located in Covelo and arrested for the listed charges (below). Phillips was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $250,000.00 bail.  

A report is being forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of charging Whipple for his part in the incident.

Crime/Incident:

209(A) PC  (Kidnapping for Ransom or Extortion)

245(A)(2) PC (Assault with a Deadly Weapon Firearm)

236 PC  (False Imprisonment)

422PC  (Criminal Threats)

211 PC  (Robbery)

417(A)(2) PC  (Brandishing a Firearm)

Victim(s): 

Adult Male (23-year-old from San Jose, CA)

Adult Male (43-year-old from San Jose, CA)

Adult Male (46-year-old from Santa Maria, CA)

Adult Male (35-year-old from Santa Rosa, CA)