Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On September 30, 2025, at approximately 4:38 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a trespassing complaint at a residence in the 200 block of Valley Avenue in Fortuna.

Upon arrival, deputies located an open window to the home. During a search of the residence, deputies discovered two individuals inside, along with numerous firearms located throughout the property.

The individuals were identified as 36-year-old Martha Elizabeth Donahue of Rio Dell and 56-year-old Johnny William Johnson of Hydesville. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Information obtained during the investigation led deputies to a secondary location on Price Creek Road in Ferndale. At that location, deputies identified a vehicle containing additional stolen firearms. A search warrant was obtained and executed, resulting in the recovery of approximately 30 firearms, extended rifle magazines, a crossbow, and a large quantity of ammunition.

Donahue was booked on the following charges:

• P.C. 459 – Burglary
• P.C. 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime

Johnson was booked on the following charges:

• P.C. 459 – Burglary
• P.C. 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime
• P.C. 29800 – Felon in possession of firearms
• P.C. 30305 – Prohibited person in possession of ammunition

This remains an active investigation. No further details are available at this time.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.