PREVIOUSLY:

• Arcata Man Arrested on Suspicion of Sexually Assaulting Two Children, Sheriff’s Office Says

###

Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

Today, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney sentenced Lucas Russell, 23, of Arcata, to 50 years in state prison for sexually abusing three children under the age of 10.

The sentence follows Russell’s guilty plea in March to four felony charges, including forcible rape of a child under 14, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and lewd and lascivious acts upon a child.

In 2023, a 9-year-old victim (Jane Doe 2) disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually assaulted by Russell, a family acquaintance who occasionally served as a caregiver for another child (Jane Doe 1). A subsequent investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Russell had blindfolded and sexually assaulted both girls in a chicken coop on a rural property in Blue Lake. The investigation also uncovered that Jane Doe 1 had been subjected to ongoing abuse over a period of time.

A third victim, unrelated to Doe 1 and 2, later came forward and reported being sexually abused by Russell—her step-uncle—when she was 8 years old and also living in Blue Lake.

During the investigation, it was known that Russell has a documented learning disability. His recorded confession included admissions of sexual assault involving both Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Investigators carefully conducted the interview to avoid any suggestive or coercive tactics, ensuring that the process was fair and thorough.

Before entering his guilty plea, Russell was evaluated by a defense-retained expert, Dr. Kevin Kelly, a licensed psychologist. His attorney, Andrea Sullivan, also consulted an expert on false confessions in preparation for trial. After reviewing the results of these evaluations, Russell chose to admit guilt and enter into a plea agreement, thereby avoiding a trial and the likely imposition of a life sentence.

“This was a deeply disturbing case involving calculated and repeated abuse of vulnerable children,” said District Attorney Stacey Eads. “We are grateful to the brave survivors and their families, and to the law enforcement and advocacy teams who helped bring this predator to justice.”

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill, Victim Witness Advocate Keosha Chamber, and advocates from the North Coast Rape Crisis Team.