Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release: 

Since late December 2021, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) had been investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Eureka area. Agents conducted surveillance and were able to identify the suspected leader of the organization, Jesse Mark Johnson (24-year-old from Eureka). Johnson was suspected of trafficking fentanyl throughout Humboldt County. Agents received a search warrant for Johnson, his residence, his vehicles, and a motel room in the 1300 block of 4th Street in Eureka that he had been occupying.

On February 15th, 2022, HCDTF Agents with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team, served a search warrant on Johnson, his vehicle, his residence, and his motel room. Inside the motel room Agents located Octobreona Taylor Hof (24-year-old from Fortuna), Jared Ross Johnson (22-year-old from Eureka), and a one-year-old child. Agents located approximately one ounce of fentanyl (green in color), 20 M-30 fentanyl pills and drug paraphernalia. The fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were located within the reach of the one-year-old child and Child Welfare Service responded to the scene.

Octobreona Hof and Jared Johnson were arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were booked for the following charges:

• PC 273a(a) Child endangerment
• H&S 11350 Possession of fentanyl
• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• PC 182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime

Jared Johnson was also found to be on parole for PC245- assault with a deadly weapon and was placed under a no bail parole hold.

A juvenile and Jesse Mark Johnson arrived at the motel room approximately one hour after the search warrant had been served. The juvenile was driving Johnson’s vehicle. Located next to the juvenile was 20 M-30 fentanyl pills and a loaded 9mm ghost gun. The juvenile was booked at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall on the following charges:

• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• H&S 11352(b) Transportation of fentanyl for sales
• PC 182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime
• HS11370.1 Possession of fentanyl while armed
• PC25850 Carrying a non-serialized firearm

Jesse Johnson was released at the scene and the following charges will be sent to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office:

• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• PC182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime

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.