Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Based upon complaints from the Garberville Business Community, Sheriff’s Deputies have been actively pursuing criminal activity in the business district. Deputies are contacting individuals for open drug use, alcohol abuse, vandalism, and other criminal activity. 

On Jan. 28, 2025, at around 9:20 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol along Redwood Dr. in Garberville observed a vehicle towing a travel trailer parked on the side of the road that appeared disabled; the deputies contacted the occupants to inquire if assistance was needed.

An adult female named Charrise Burns, 44, of Fort Bragg, was sitting in the passenger seat and stated that her husband had walked to town to find water for their overheated vehicle. The Emergency Communications Center confirmed for the deputy that Burns had a warrant issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office for probation violation (PC 1203.2). 

Burns was placed in handcuffs and searched incident to arrest and advised the deputies that she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies located a methamphetamine pipe in the vehicle, along with five more glass tubes containing methamphetamine residue and a plastic bag with methamphetamine wrapped in tin foil. 

Burns was then transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked for the following charges:

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia—H&S 11364
• Possession of Controlled Substance— H&S 11377

The methamphetamine was tested and had a confirmed weight of 1.446 g. 

Deputies will be actively patrolling both Garberville and Redway looking for suspicious activity.   

Anyone with information about 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.