Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On January 23, 2024, at about 7:00 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 2200 block of Bear Creek Road near Dinsmore for the report of burglary of a state licensed cannabis farm.

Deputies responded to the property and spoke with the reporting party. It was determined that a large number of items, including heavy equipment, water pumps, tools, and household items had been stolen from the property and buildings.

The HCSO Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) was able to gather information on the possible suspects and location of the stolen property. HCSO MET secured a search warrant for the location located in Southern Trinity County.

On February 6, 2024, HCSO MET, HCSO Special Services, Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, and California Fish and Wildlife served the search warrant in Southern Trinity County. Deputies were able to locate and arrest 37-year-old Brian M McKnight. Deputies were also able to locate the stolen property from the Bear Creek Road Burglary along with stolen property associated with three other residential burglaries in the Dinsmore area.  The stolen property is in the process of being returned to the crime victims.  

McKnight was arrested for possession of stolen property in excess of $10,000.00, (PC 496d), being a felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1), Felon in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)(1), and for an outstanding felony warrant in Humboldt County. McKnight was booked into the Trinity County Correctional Facility. 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.