Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Dec. 11, 2022, at about 3:04 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 200 block of Laurel Street in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka for the report of a domestic disturbance.

Deputies arrived at the residence and contacted an elder male victim suffering from pepper spray exposure. During their investigation, deputies learned that the victim and a co-habitant family member, 43-year-old Nathan Ray Rankin, were involved in a domestic dispute. During the dispute, Rankin reportedly physically assaulted the victim, attacked him with pepper spray, then physically restrained the victim preventing him from leaving. Rankin fled the residence just prior to deputy arrival.

At approximately 4:27 p.m., deputies received information that Rankin had returned to the residence. Deputies responded and took Rankin into custody without incident.

Rankin was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of false imprisonment (PC 236), battery (PC 242), use of tear gas (PC 22810(g)) and elder abuse (PC 368(b)(1)).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.