Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Sept. 20, 2025, at approximately 12:20 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a local business to meet with a 52-year-old female victim of an alleged sexual assault that occurred earlier that morning in the Loleta area.

During their investigation deputies learned that the suspect was identified as Amos Lee Nuckols, 56 years-old, of Eureka, and a driver for a local transit company. Nuckols was driving in the area of Little Fairfield St. in Eureka with a client in the vehicle, when encountered the victim seated on the side of the road.   He then stopped and offered the victim a ride, which she accepted.  He then reportedly drove his client to the Ferndale area where he was dropped off and then drove the victim to a secluded area in Loleta where the alleged sexual assault occurred.  

Deputies contacted the North Coast Rape Crisis team and requested an advocate respond to the scene. The advocate responded met with the victim and transported her to a local hospital for treatment and provided her with additional victim assistance resources.

Based upon the victim’s statement and the initial investigation deputies arrested and booked Nuckols at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• P.C. 220(a)(1) Assault with intent to commit a specified felony
• P.C. 243.4(d) Sexual Assault

This is an active criminal investigation, and no further details will be released.

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.