Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:
Reed.
On
May 27, 2024, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents, with
the assistance of the California Highway Patrol and the Humboldt
County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SWAT Team, served a search warrant
at a hotel located in the 100 block of 4th
Street in Eureka, and arrest warrants on Michael Caleb Reed (Age 39)
and Pa Cheng (Age 32). After a multi-month
investigation, the HCDTF gathered evidence that Reed and Cheng were
traveling to southern California to purchase large quantities of
narcotics. Reed and Cheng would transport the narcotics back to
Humboldt County for the purpose of sales. Reed is a convicted felon
and is currently on parole for felony evasion. Reed has a lengthy
history of leading law enforcement on highspeed chases throughout the
state of California, one of which resulted in a collision where a
Eureka Police Officer was severely injured in 2020.
Cheng.
During
the investigation, HCDTF Agents authored search warrants for Reed and
Cheng’s social media accounts. Upon reviewing the data on Reed’s
account, Agents discovered a video of Reed and Cheng having sexual
intercourse with a minor under the age of 16. Agents also discovered
that Reed had distributed the video of him and Cheng having sexual
intercourse with the minor, as well as other sexually explicit
images/videos of the same minor, to other individuals.
Upon
reviewing the messages and data on both Reed and Cheng’s social
media, Agents located evidence indicative of Reed and Cheng engaging
in human trafficking and prostitution. It is believed that the
victims observed on the social media accounts were also potential
juveniles.
At
1730 hours, HCSO SWAT Operators and HCSO K9 Rex set up in a parking
lot of a business located in the 100 block of 6th
Street and awaited Reed and Cheng’s arrival on the Amtrak Bus. Once
the bus arrived both Reed and Cheng were apprehended. Reed was in
possession of several duffle bags. Inside the bags Agents located two
ounces of cocaine, one ounce of heroin, one pound of fentanyl, two
pounds of methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.
After
Reed and Cheng were detained, Agents responded to their hotel room
where they located a stolen handgun hidden in the wall, and more
evidence indicative of human trafficking and prostitution.
Reed was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:
PC 288.2(A)(2) Showing/sending harmful material to seduce a minor.
PC 261.5(d) Statutory rape of a minor
PC 287(B)(2) Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16
PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy
PC 311.11(a) Possession of child pornography
PC 30305(a) Felon in possession of ammunition
PC 25850(a) Illegal possession of a firearm
PC 29800(a) Felon in possession of a firearm
HS 11370.1(a) Possession of a firearm with a controlled substance
HS 11352(a) Transportation of Narcotics
HS 11352(B) Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties
HS 11351 Possession for sales, narcotics
HS 11379 (a) Transportation of controlled substance
HS 11379(b) Transportation of controlled substance, noncontiguous counties
HS 11378 Possession for sales, controlled substance.
The HCDTF will also be investigating additional charges for the stolen firearm located in Reed’s room, human trafficking, pimping, pandering, and distribution of child pornography.
Cheng was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where she was booked for the following charges:
PC 287(B)(2) Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16
HS 11352(a) Transportation of narcotics
HS 11352(B) Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties
HS 11351 Possession for sales, narcotics
HS 11379 (a) Transportation of controlled substance
HS 11378 Possession for sales, controlled substance.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has information about this case in regard to the victims of human trafficking please call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.
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