Chilling details in kidnapping of Forest Service workers — as father and son suspects appear in court
Newly released federal court documents are shedding light on the terrifying hostage crisis involving two U.S. Forest Service workers after they were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by a father and son in a remote Northern California forest Friday.
The criminal affidavit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, outlines minute-by-minute allegations against 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his 23-year-old son, Phoenix Henrichsen. Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees and are scheduled to appear in court Monday at 2 p.m.
Phoenix Henrichsen has been charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees.Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office
According to investigators, the two biologists were conducting research on frog habitats near Gumboot Lake Campground on July 16 when Joseph Henrichsen allegedly approached them carrying an AR-15-style rifle.
Federal authorities say he ordered the researchers to turn around, raise their hands and then zip-tied the hostages‘ wrists behind their backs before forcing them to walk to a nearby camping trailer. Court documents allege Phoenix emerged from the woods and at his father’s direction, cleared space inside the trailer before the victims were ordered inside.
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The camp trailer that Joseph and Pheneix Henrichsen allegedly held the hostages in.U.S. Attorney’s Office
The affidavit paints a disturbing picture of what happened next.
Investigators say Joseph later separated the victims, taking one of the biologists in a U.S. Forest Service truck while still armed with the rifle. During that drive, prosecutors allege he used the victim’s cellphone to make several calls, including leaving a voicemail for someone he knew.
“I’ve taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service,” he allegedly said in the recorded message. “I’ve got live rounds ready… I’d like to have you send me a fed investigator, preferably from the FBI.”
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The affidavit says he then returned to the trailer, where the victims remained restrained. Later that afternoon, he allegedly repeated the process with the second biologist, leaving Phoenix alone inside the trailer with the other captive for hours.
Court documents also reveal new details about Phoenix’s alleged role.
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The two biologists were conducting research on frog habitats near Gumboot Lake Campground when they were kidnapped.Getty Images
While Joseph negotiated with law enforcement outside the trailer, investigators say Phoenix remained inside with the hostages. One victim later told authorities Phoenix “kept watch” over them whenever his father stepped away.
During the lengthy standoff, which stretched into the early hours of July 17, Joseph allegedly refused repeated requests from FBI negotiators to release the captives.
The affidavit also alleges he escalated tensions by claiming he had a grenade and threatening to use it if officers moved closer.
At another point, Phoenix allegedly alerted his father that he saw people moving through the trees. Investigators believe he was referring to law enforcement officers surrounding the trailer.
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The hostage crisis prompted a massive response from the FBI, SWAT teams and other federal, state and local agencies.ABC7
The crisis finally began to wind down around 1 a.m. when Joseph agreed to release the two biologists one at a time. Both safely walked out of the trailer before Phoenix surrendered to authorities around 2:30 a.m. Joseph surrendered minutes later.
The affidavit provides the most detailed account yet of the nearly daylong hostage crisis that prompted a massive response from the FBI, SWAT teams and other federal, state and local agencies in the remote Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
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The pair are facing federal kidnapping charges involving government employees. If convicted, Joseph and Phoenix could face significant prison time.
