California Father and Son Charged With Kidnapping Federal Forest Service Workers

Federal authorities in California have charged a father-and-son pair with kidnapping two employees of the U.S. Forest Service following a lengthy hostage situation in a remote area near Mt. Shasta. Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his son Phoenix Henrichsen allegedly detained the workers inside a trailer located in the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

The incident began Thursday morning when a Forest Service employee contacted law enforcement shortly before 11 a.m. to report the kidnapping. The location was near Gumboot Lake in northern California’s mountainous region, where authorities would later coordinate a complex response.

An FBI hostage negotiator from Quantico traveled to California to assist local law enforcement officials in securing the captives’ safe release. The elder Henrichsen reportedly demanded to communicate with the FBI after restraining both workers with zip ties inside the structure.

Negotiations continued throughout the day and into Friday morning. The first hostage was released at 1:50 a.m. Friday, with the second freed approximately 15 minutes thereafter. The two suspects surrendered to FBI agents at 2:30 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced during a Friday news conference that federal prosecutors intend to file kidnapping charges against both men under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(5). Investigators have not yet determined what motivated the alleged abduction or why the suspects specifically requested FBI involvement.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz released a statement expressing relief at the workers’ safe return. “Their well-being continues to be our highest priority,” Schultz said, noting the agency would provide ongoing support to the affected employees and their families.