On April 3, 2025, the State of California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) formally notified my office, as well as the Humboldt County District Attorney, of their intent to release Richard Stobaugh, a convicted serial rapist, found to be a sexually violent predator (SVP), back into Humboldt County.
The DSH notice follows a December 4, 2023, order by Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum directing the conditional release of SVP Stobaugh from DSH Coalinga. Despite objections from the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Cockrum granted Stobaugh’s petition for outpatient supervision and treatment for Stobaugh following a court trial. This ruling allows the DSH to relocate Stobaugh from a locked facility to a residence in Humboldt County.
We have now been notified that 2171 Peninsula Drive in Manila is selected as Stobaugh’s proposed residence. On May 7, the court will consider whether to order this single-family home within the community of Manila as his new residence.
Richard Stobaugh
Let me be clear: I strongly oppose Judge Cockrum’s ruling and the DSH placing this sexually sadistic predator anywhere in our county. Richard Stobaugh has a long, violent, and deeply disturbing history of sexually assaulting women in Humboldt County. His actions were not only premeditated and violent, but often committed under terrifying circumstances involving weapons, home invasions, and utter disregard for human life or dignity.
Background on Richard Stobaugh:
1981 - Raped a woman at knifepoint after breaking into her dorm room in Arcata. Served 5 years.
1987 - Armed with a firearm and wearing a ski mask, raped & sexually assaulted two women at a hotel. Forced one of the women to run naked several blocks outside the hotel, then he raped her again in a residential backyard.
1987 - Broke into a woman’s home with a gun; attempted to kidnap her, before she fled
1988 - Entered a sleeping woman’s home and raped her.
1988 - Broke into the home of a pregnant woman, tied her up, and raped her at knifepoint.
Stobaugh was convicted and has been incarcerated since 1988, In 2012, he was determined to be a Sexual Violent Predator. He was then transferred to a locked Department of State Hospital Facility, where he is now awaiting his release.
A medical expert diagnosed Stobaugh as a sexual sadist, someone who derives sexual gratification
from inflicting pain and psychological suffering on his victims. His crimes involved extreme
violence far beyond what was necessary to subdue his victims, a clear indicator of the continued
threat he poses.
We cannot ignore this reality. Placing this man back into our community, in proximity to women
and children, is irresponsible, dangerous, and unacceptable.
I encourage all residents of Humboldt County to join me in voicing opposition to the proposed
relocation of Stobaugh. I urge you to speak up.
This isn’t a political issue; it’s about protecting
public safety and ensuring our community can live without fear.
Public Hearing:
Date / Time: May 7, 2025, at 10:15am
Location: Superior Court of California, Humboldt County, Courtroom One - Honorable Judge Christopher Wilson 825 5th Street Eureka, CA 95501
Contact Information to Submit Your Opposition:
SVP CONREP Community Program Director - Liberty Healthcare: LIBERTYSVPCONREP@LibertyHealth.com
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: HSO@co.humboldt.ca.us
Humboldt County District Attorney: districtattorney@co.humboldt.ca.us
We must stand together to protect our community from known, violent offenders. I will continue
to fight this placement and urge Governor Newsom and state officials to find safer, more
appropriate alternatives. Thank you for your support and dedication to keeping Humboldt County safe.
William Honsal Humboldt County Sheriff
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UPDATE: The Humboldt County Superior Court issued the following announcement in response to Sheriff William Honsal’s letter:
In response to the press release issued by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) dated April 15, 2025, regarding People v. Stobaugh, the Court cannot receive ex parte communication. This includes the email provided in the press release, by regular post, or any other method. Court proceedings must be conducted in courtrooms open to the public, and this case is no exception. Ex Parte communication is prohibited per the California Code of Judicial Ethics.
Sheriff Honsal also issued a follow-up statement emphasizing that all communications regarding Stobaugh’s potential relocation to Humboldt County should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of State Hospitals. He asked members of the media to remove a “confidential” email address that was previously listed in this post.
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