Father and son charged in connection with kidnapping of Forest Service workers: DOJ

A father and son have been federally charged after two U.S. Forest Service workers were held hostage at gunpoint for 15 hours in a trailer in a Northern California forest, federal officials said Monday.

Joseph Henrichsen, 49, and his son, 23-year-old Phoenix Henrichsen, have been charged with kidnapping federal employees, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California, which is prosecuting the case.

Both suspects were taken into custody early Friday following an hourslong standoff in a remote area of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, authorities in Siskiyou County said.

The two female Forest Service employees were conducting field work near Gumboot Lake Campground in Siskiyou County on Thursday when Joseph Henrichsen allegedly approached them while armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, according to the criminal complaint.

He then allegedly used zip ties to bind their wrists behind their backs and led them to a remote trailer, according to the complaint, which included a photo of the trailer.

Joseph Henrichsen is accused of using one of the victim’s phones to make multiple phone calls, according to the criminal complaint. In a voicemail to one individual, he allegedly said that he’d taken two Forest Service employees “hostage” and that one is “ziptied, her hands are behind her f—— back, and I’ve got live rounds ready to f—— [inaudible] anyone who f—- with me,” according to the complaint.

He then allegedly said he wanted a federal investigator to come so “we can talk things through a little bit,” according to the complaint. The voice of one of the victims can be heard in the voicemail, according to the complaint.

Multiple law enforcement members responded, and following prolonged hostage negotiations with the elder Henrichsen, the two victims were safely released and both suspects surrendered, according to the complaint.

Phoenix Henrichsen is accused of aiding and abetting his father in the kidnapping, according to the complaint. He allegedly “kept watch” and stayed in the trailer when his father was not inside it, according to the complaint.

Investigators said last week that the motive remains unclear.

If convicted, the Henrichsens face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to prosecutors.

The two suspects were ordered detained during their initial appearance on Monday, and a preliminary examination has been scheduled for Aug. 3, according to online court records.

Joseph Henrichsen’s attorney, Meghan McLoughlin, said in a statement to News, “There is often more to these cases than the government’s allegations, and the criminal process will reveal Mr. Henrichsen’s story as well.”

An attorney for his son declined to comment at this time.