Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On December 2, 2025, at approximately 12:11 a.m., the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from a residence on the 3000 block of Barber Creek Rd., Hydesville, regarding a domestic violence incident. The suspect in this case was later identified as 65-year-old David Bernard Privat. 

As deputies were responding to the residence, a deputy traveling on Rohnerville Rd. observed a white Chevrolet Suburban towing a trailer at a high rate of speed approximately one mile from the reported location. The deputy immediately recognized the vehicle as belonging to Privat and initiated a traffic stop near Rohnerville Rd. and Puddin Rd. in Fortuna.  The deputy contacted Privat and detained him for further investigation while another deputy contacted the victim at the Barber Creek Rd. residence.

Based on the victim’s statement and evidence located during the investigation, it was determined that a violent crime had occurred and Privat was taken into custody. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention. Deputies contacted the on-call judge, who granted an emergency protective order for the victim.

Privat was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and was booked on charges including:

• P.C. 664/187 Attempted homicide
• P.C. 273.5(a) Inflicting corporal injury on spouse
• P.C. 236 False imprisonment 
• P.C. 29800(a)(1) Felon in possession of a firearm

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.