Father, son charged in kidnapping of Forest Service biologists

A father and his adult son have been charged with kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service biologists at gunpoint in a remote Northern California forest, where authorities said the victims were held hostage for hours before being released following an overnight standoff.

Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, made their initial appearances Monday in federal court in Sacramento on charges of kidnapping a federal employee and aiding and abetting, reported NBC News on Tuesday.

The two did not enter pleas.

According to a federal affidavit, the incident began Thursday morning near Gumboot Lake Campground in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about 290 miles north of San Francisco.

The two Forest Service biologists were conducting research on frog habitats when Joseph Henrichsen allegedly approached them carrying an AR-15-style rifle.

Prosecutors said he zip-tied their hands behind their backs and forced them to a nearby trailer, where Phoenix Henrichsen joined him.

Authorities allege Joseph Henrichsen later drove one of the victims, identified only as a woman, several miles away in the Forest Service vehicle while using her cellphone to contact a federal forest ranger.

According to the affidavit, Joseph Henrichsen left a voicemail saying he had taken "two fed biologists hostage" and warned that the woman remained bound while he had "live rounds ready."

He requested to speak with a federal investigator, preferably from the FBI.

The victims were then returned to the trailer, where prosecutors said they remained held at gunpoint for several hours.

During negotiations, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly claimed he possessed a grenade and threatened to use it unless law enforcement backed away.

Negotiators eventually secured the release of both hostages shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. The suspects then surrendered without further incident.

Federal charging documents do not identify a motive for the kidnapping.

Lauren Horwood, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, said she could not comment beyond the allegations contained in the court filing.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said Friday the suspects were not previously known to local law enforcement.

Court records show Joseph Henrichsen was arrested in Washington state in 2022 in a case involving allegations that he threw fireworks at a neighbor's home, left homemade handcuffs and a note referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin, and carried a firearm.

The case, which included a hate crime charge, was dismissed after the state was unable to provide psychiatric treatment in a timely manner.

If convicted of kidnapping a federal employee, Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen could face life in prison.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.