On May 5, 2021, a Humboldt County jury found
Jason Ryan Barnes, age 48, of Eureka, guilty of one count of involuntary manslaughter for the homicide of Bernhard “Ben” Bertain and two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The jury also found true the special allegations that Mr. Barnes personally caused great bodily injury or death and personally used a deadly weapon.
Barnes had been charged with second degree murder. Prior to jury deliberations, Judge Timothy Canning acquitted Mr. Barnes of that charge and the lesser included charge of voluntary manslaughter. Thus, the jurors returned guilty verdicts on the most serious charges they were allowed to consider.
Eureka Police Department press release:
On March 31, 2021, the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Team
(POP), with assistance from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (DTF), arrested 41-
year-old
Jorge Alcazar Vasquez of Rio Dell following a months-long investigation into
ongoing sexual assault of a child under 10.
The Eureka Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) headed the
investigation into the ongoing assaults that occurred in Eureka. The report was
submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office and an arrest warrant for
Alcazar Vasquez was issued.
Alcazar Vasquez was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional
EPD Arrests Man for Alleged Sexual Assault of Child northcoastjournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from northcoastjournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Press release from the Eureka Police Department:
On February 28, 2021, at about 6:15 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
responded to the 100 block of Harris Street to assist Humboldt Bay Fire with
investigating multiple suspicious car fires.
Vehicle fires were located at the 100 block of Harris Street, 100 block of Grotto Street,
and 2800 block of C Street. All fires were in close proximity and appeared to have
been set within 30 minutes of each other.
While patrolling the area, officers located 32-year-old Christopher Flagler exiting the
alley where there was an active vehicle fire. Flagler was detained and a records check
showed he had multiple warrants and was on probation. Flagler was found to be in