A routine assignment to study frog habitat spiraled into a terrifying 15-hour hostage ordeal for two federal employees in a remote Northern California forest.
Federal prosecutors charged Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his son, Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, on Monday with kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service biologists near Gumboot Lake Campground in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The two women were conducting fieldwork on July 16 when Joseph Henrichsen allegedly approached them carrying an AR-15-style rifle, pointed the weapon in their direction and ordered them to raise their hands, according to an FBI affidavit.
Henrichsen allegedly bound the women’s wrists behind their backs with zip ties before forcing them toward a secluded camping trailer where he and his son had been living.
As the group approached, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly instructed his son to make room inside for the captives. Phoenix Henrichsen complied and later guarded the women whenever his father left the trailer, according to the complaint.
Investigators say the elder Henrichsen then drove away with one of the women in a Forest Service vehicle and used her phone to make several calls.
“I’ve taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service,” Henrichsen allegedly said in a recorded message cited in the affidavit.
He also warned that he had “live rounds ready” for anyone who attempted to interfere and demanded to speak with an FBI investigator, according to the Justice Department.
The woman’s voice could reportedly be heard in the background of the message.
Henrichsen later returned her to the trailer and allegedly took the second biologist into a Nissan, where authorities say he held her for approximately three hours while continuing to contact law enforcement.
The threatening calls triggered a massive response from federal, state and local authorities. Deputies used drones to locate the trailer in the heavily wooded mountain terrain, while SWAT officers, snipers, bomb technicians and hostage negotiators converged on the area.
The FBI also flew members of its elite Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico, Virginia, to assist with the operation. The White House, FBI Director Kash Patel and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reportedly monitored the standoff as it unfolded.
Negotiators began communicating with Joseph Henrichsen shortly after 4 p.m. At one point, he allegedly claimed there was a grenade inside the trailer. Authorities have not disclosed whether any explosives were ultimately recovered.
The first hostage was released at approximately 1:50 a.m. Friday, with the second woman following roughly 15 minutes later. Both suspects surrendered around 2:30 a.m., ending the ordeal without bloodshed, according to local officials.
“Crisis situations like this don’t often result in everyone leaving the scene safely,” FBI Sacramento acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh said following the operation.
Patel praised the agents involved, saying he was “proud of the immediate and professional work” that helped bring the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the employees were safely reunited with their families but would need time to recover.
“Our focus now is simple: the well-being of our employees and their families,” Schultz said.
The elder Henrichsen previously faced charges in Washington state following a bizarre 2022 incident involving fireworks, a firearm, homemade handcuffs and a note calling for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to reporting cited by the Los Angeles Times.
A psychologist reportedly found Henrichsen incompetent to stand trial. The case was later dismissed without prejudice after authorities were unable to place him in a state psychiatric facility within the required timeframe, meaning prosecutors retained the option of refiling the charges.
Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged kidnapping or explained why Joseph Henrichsen demanded to speak with the FBI.
Both men were ordered detained following their initial federal court appearances. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3. Joseph Henrichsen’s attorney told ABC News that “the criminal process will reveal Mr. Henrichsen’s story,” while an attorney for Phoenix Henrichsen declined to comment.
Each defendant faces up to life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.
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