Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On July 9, 2022, at about 7:38 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the Myrtletown area observed a stolen vehicle parked outside a residence on the 1300 block of Santa Clara Street.

Deputies contacted multiple individuals at the residence, including 53-year-old Anthony Maurice Watkins, who had outstanding warrants for his arrest, and 29-year-old Ashley Weta Sheveland, who was found to be associated with the stolen vehicle.

During a search of Watkins incident to arrest, deputies located approximately four grams of methamphetamine.

Due to the totality of circumstances, including numerous community complaints regarding possible drug activity at this residence and the presence of methamphetamine located during the search of Watkins, deputies requested a search warrant for the residence. The warrant was approved by the Humboldt County Superior Court and a search of the residence was conducted.

During the search, deputies located numerous prescription pills, .5 grams of fentanyl, .75 grams of heroin, over 2 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 12 grams of an unidentified, suspected controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and items consistent with the sale of controlled substances.

All items of evidentiary value were seized, and the case is being forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Watkins was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)), in addition to warrant charges of transportation/sale of a controlled substance (HS 11379(a)).

Sheveland was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)).

This case is still under investigation. 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.