Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 17, 2023, at about 11 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted at the Sheriff’s Main Station regarding an assault that had occurred at a residence on the 3500 block of Buttermilk Lane, in the county’s jurisdiction of Arcata.

Deputies met with a 39-year-old male victim who had visible injuries. The victim told deputies that his roommate, 26-year-old Tukatuk Many Trees Nelson, reportedly instigated an argument then physically assaulted him earlier that morning causing significant facial injuries. Nelson reportedly also threatened to kill the victim numerous times.

Deputies responded to the residence and took Nelson into custody without incident. Nelson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of battery with serious bodily injury (PC 243(d)) and criminal threats (PC 422).

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.