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A California man accused of kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service biologists at gunpoint allegedly used one of his captive's cellphones to declare, "I've taken two fed biologists hostage," before demanding to speak with the FBI, according to newly unsealed federal court documents.
The new allegations, contained in an FBI affidavit filed after Friday's dramatic rescue, offer the clearest picture yet of the roughly 15-hour hostage ordeal that unfolded near Gumboot Lake in the remote Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California.
Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his son, Phoenix Henrichsen, allegedly took the two federal workers' hostage inside a trailer in a rural area near Mt. Shasta.
According to the affidavit, Joseph Henrichsen approached the biologists carrying what investigators described as an AR-15-style rifle, ordered them to raise their hands and zip-tied their wrists behind their backs before forcing them into the trailer.
The FBI deployed a hostage negotiator from Quantico to coordinate with local authorities. The authorities negotiated the hostages' release after hours of talks with the kidnappers.
Investigators allege Henrichsen later removed one of the biologists from the trailer at gunpoint, placed her in a U.S. Forest Service pickup truck and drove several miles toward Lake Siskiyou while carrying the rifle.
Using the victim's cellphone, Henrichsen allegedly called a U.S. Forest Service ranger before leaving a voicemail for an acquaintance.
"I've taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service," Henrichsen allegedly said in the message, according to the affidavit. "She's zip-tied, her hands are behind her ... and I've got live rounds ready."
Investigators say Henrichsen demanded an FBI investigator come meet with him before returning the victim to the trailer.
Federal investigators allege Henrichsen later repeated the process with the second biologist, repeatedly separating the victims during the ordeal.
While Joseph Henrichsen drove away with one hostage in the government vehicle, prosecutors say Phoenix remained inside the trailer with the other victim.
After the rescue, one of the biologists told investigators Phoenix "kept watch" over the captives whenever his father stepped outside.
As local, state and federal law enforcement officers converged on the remote campground, Henrichsen allegedly began communicating with authorities over the Forest Service truck's radio, refusing repeated demands to release the hostages and surrender.
Negotiators with the FBI, including members of the bureau's elite Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico, Virginia, spent hours trying to peacefully end the standoff, according to the affidavit. Around 8:20 p.m., investigators say Henrichsen claimed he had a grenade and warned he would use it if officers did not back away.
During a Friday news conference, before the affidavit was unsealed, FBI Sacramento Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh said the situation remained volatile throughout the standoff.
"At any point, it could go from under control to very dangerous," Tosh said.
At the same briefing, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue described the massive, multi-agency response after authorities learned two U.S. Forest Service employees had been taken hostage near Gumboot Lake.
"It was a large incident, and I'd like to tell you it's probably the smoothest thing I've seen in many years," LaRue said, praising the coordination between local, state and federal agencies.
The standoff ended early Friday after hours of negotiations. According to the FBI affidavit, both hostages were released shortly after 1 a.m. Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered around 2:30 a.m., followed by his father about five minutes later.
Following the rescue, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz thanked the agencies involved in bringing the ordeal to a peaceful end.
"I am grateful beyond words that both of our Forest Service employees are home safe," Schultz said, calling the outcome "a testament to the skill and professionalism" of Forest Service law enforcement officers, the FBI, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office and other first responders.
"This was a frightening experience for everyone involved," he continued. "Their well-being continues to be our highest priority. We’re staying close to them and their loved ones, making sure they have the support and the space that they need after what they’ve been through."
Following the rescue, FBI Director Kash Patel praised the bureau's response in a post on X, saying FBI Sacramento crisis negotiators, the SWAT Team, the Evidence Response Team and the elite Hostage Rescue Team helped bring the dangerous standoff to a peaceful end.
"After nearly 10 hours of negotiations, the hostages were safely released — and subjects Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered and were immediately taken into custody," Patel wrote.
"I am proud of the immediate and professional work of these elite FBI teams to assist our partners for a safe and successful resolution."
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the kidnapping triggered a massive law enforcement response involving local, state and federal agencies from across the country before negotiators secured the safe release of both victims.
Both Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen are charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees. If convicted, each faces up to life in federal prison.
Both defendants appeared in federal court Monday, where a magistrate judge ordered them detained pending further proceedings. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.
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A motive has not yet been identified. Investigators said Joseph Henrichsen initially communicated with negotiators before later refusing to cooperate as the hourslong standoff continued.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California told Fox News Digital the office is not providing additional comment and will not release recordings or transcripts of the hostage negotiations.
Fox News Digital has also reached out to attorneys representing Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen for comment.
Original article source: New audio reveals frantic moments after Forest Service workers are taken hostage in California wilderness
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