Lethal levels

◼ Of Meth.

In his system.

4 dead.

Others maimed.

A horrific accident.

A community stunned.

Families devastated.

Unimaginable pain. Anguish.

A habitual user?

Were all those teenagers exposed to this on a daily basis? Was watching their parents destroy themselves a part of their life? Did they say, Dad, Mom, you shouldn't oughtta be doing this stuff? And did it fall on deaf ears? And how many more like this are out there right now?

So, if you are a user, or a dealer - does this wake you up at all? Do you keep on using? Or do you have the will to get clean?
__________________
◼ Toxicology Report Reveals Driver in Fatal Hydesville Accident Intoxicated INTOXICATED? INTOXICATED?

◼ "Daniel Morris was very high, and his methamphetamine level was at 0.77 mg/L," said Deputy Coroner Roy Horton. "Methamphetamine levels are potentially toxic around 0.2 mg/L, and that's been known to kill."

Morris, a 40-year-old Fortuna resident, died in the crash. He was driving a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck just east of Fisher Road near Hydesville around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 when the vehicle veered off the road and ran head-on into a tree, according to a California Highway Patrol press release. Three other Fortuna residents, including 33-year-old Alisha Marie Summerfield, her 13-year-old daughter Judith Maxine Martin and 20-year-old Savanna Nicole Line Ramirez were also killed.

Coke, Meth and Cash. Lots of it.

"You know how a lot of us openly wish there was an In-N-Out in Humboldt? Well, if you think about it, we kinda already have one."

◼ LoCo on Facebook
◼ Two Arrested in Eureka Meth Bust, “Both subjects were released due to overcrowding” - LoCo

Larry Gene Blake (53) was contacted and arrested at the scene for Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales. Approximately 6.8 grams of methamphetamine, 1.4 grams of cocaine, scales and packaging were located and seized at the scene.

As the detectives were arriving on scene, a vehicle driven by Alfonso Yanez-Espana (27) drove up to Blake’s residence for an unknown reason. A second Search Warrant was obtained for Yanez-Espana’s vehicle and residence. As a result of that investigation approximately 963.2 grams (2.2 lbs) of methamphetamine and $35,000 cash were located and seized.

Both Blake and Yanez-Espana were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales. Both subjects were released due to overcrowding.
_______________
Over 2 POUNDS. And out.

Proactive: Allan Dollison arranges training for prosecutors

Allan Dollison has been involved with the Humboldt Meth Abuse Awareness Project. In watching the comments and posts of the group, it's become apparent to me that he is not just there for the PR value, but takes action where he sees a need. It doesn't appear to be just for the political gain, either. But I am glad to see he has posted this on his campaign's Facebook page:

"I am pleased to announce that I have successfully coordinated with the Statewide Drug Endangered Children Alliance for some great training for prosecutors, law enforcement, child and family services workers, health care workers and finally educators for Wednesday June 4. They have not been to Humboldt "in a long time" and all it took was an e-Mail and a phone call. This will be a great event for the county." ◼ Humboldt Meth Abuse Awareness Project

There's more on his own page, which I am swiping without permission, because rather than having Facebook purity tests, and gauges based on "LIKES," this is what we should be looking for from ALL of our candidates:

Ok great news. I just got off the phone with Margie Hensley from California Drug Endangered Children Alliance. It was a wonderful conversation. We have a tentative date of Wednesday, June 4, that they will be able to come up and do the training. It will last 8 hours. I suggested the audience might be up to 100 people. Training is free. No costs to pay for their travel. We are responsible for securing the venue, to include paying for it if we had to. I believe there are many facilities that would consider donating their location, so I have ideas about that. About 45 days prior, she will send out a flyer. I told her that addition to the standard routine law enforcement-centric audience, we will have educators and medical personnel in attendance. This will be an awesome event. All it took was an E-Mail and a follow-up phone call! Now let's start publicizing this!!!!

__________________
◼ dollisonforda.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE
__________________
Related, there are a lot of people wrking very hard, an very proactively on this topic:
◼ Talk outlines Humboldt County's meth woes; funding pinch requires creative solutions, officials say - Will Houston/The Times-Standard
◼ Mark Lovelace added DHHS Methamphetamine Presentation
Here are the slides from the presentation given by DHHS staff at today's Board of Supervisors' meeting.

An interesting exchange

It wasn't intended by either of the candidates as campaign fodder, nor am I presenting it as such - I just thought it was an interesting exchange, precisely because it IS about real world work. See what you think. (Note: I abbreviated the names to initials, except for those related to the DA topic)
__________________
The conversation relates to this bit of information from Allan Dollison: ◼ Ok, thanks to the excellent investigative work by Elizabeth Fletcher and Lindsey Jones Ziegler I followed up on the DEC program here in California. DEC stands for Drug Endangered Children. Much of the discussion on HMAAP has focused on individuals with Meth Addiction, the law, and health policy concerns such as treatment, but the DEC is extremely important because it recognizes that there are truly innocent victims out there of this terrible affliction with Methamphetamine t... (snippet, click for the full comment)

LJZ: Thanks so much Allan. I am super excited about this. Does the state cover all of the costs for the training? Or would some funding need to be secured for the venue and other ancillary costs?

JG: Thanks for following up on this, Allan. I sent you a message, it may be in your "Other" inbox.

SS: I'm all for it and interested!!

EF: Thanks so much Allan! This is so exciting. As for who should attend, I think that docs, nurses, EMT's, anyone who goes in to families' homes to work with them - HCOE, Regional Center, Changing Tides, Northcoast Children's Services, I know there's more, but I haven't had any coffee yet. You get the idea. I am excited to hear about this and would be willing to help in any way I could. Thanks again!

PM: Nice job Allan. Good info!!

VGR: Good work Allan. CWS front line workers need to attend. WHen you get a date, contact Keri Schrock, (phone number redacted, available on the Facebook thread)

LV: Allan Dollison Thank you so much !!! For me personally this is the best thing I have seen come out of the group yet !! Not to discount anyone's' contributions but something like this is what I have been looking for. No one is accountable for these conditions that these kids are exposed to and left in. I was reading on here the other day that meth positive mothers often get discharged with their newborns I thought that was just crazy.

LV: To have people given options and accountability across service lines is a very good thing for the kids.
February 19 at 5:56pm · Like · 1

Allan Dollison: I appreciate all of the comments. I do think the right suggestion of folks have come in, and I will compose the E-Mail to Mr. Brown. Interestingly, I was contacted by a former colleague of mine who informed me that a couple of lawyers, a CPS interviewer, and Drug Task Force did some training in Red Bluff about 3 years ago, but there was no one else from Humboldt that participated. I will insure that ALL law enforcement, and these added folks get the training, because it is not a small universe of people who can impact the problem. It needs to be a WIDE net. As it was explained to me this training would be free for the County. They pay for the trainers and the location even if there is a cost. that will be finalized with my discussions with Mitch of DECAlliance, CA Chapter. I will compose the E-Mail tomorrow and hopefully they can come soon. Yes Linda Villano that is tragic if that is happening. Perhaps that can be discussed, all of the more reason why we need to get Medically-trained personnel in the training. There is no more drug-endangered child than a baby born to a Mother addicted to Meth.

EF: Allan Dollison, the more I think about this, the more excited I get. I just want to thank you for jumping on this! Clearly, it is such an important issue and I have been hoping someone would come along and see that importance. Someone that has the tools to actually help this community move on it. This group is amazing and your input and involvement is just awesome! I will be voting for you and will be happy to have your sign on my lawn when the time comes. This isn't the place to talk campaigns, but you have certainly earned my vote. Thanks again, really.

Kelly Neel: Allan, There was a DEC training in Red Bluff roughly three years ago and the Child Abuse Services Team went in whole - as well as DTF and at least one detective from the HCSO. It was a large group participating from Humboldt and it was a great training.

Allan Dollison: Kelly; Melinda mentioned that after she saw this post. When I spoke to Mitch Brown statewide coordinator for DEC he said that they had not been to Humboldt in a very long time. The advantage of doing the training here is a much larger audience to include CPS/CWS workers, educators and health personnel as well as substantially more cops on the beat will be able to attend. I am glad to hear the training was good, and now I want to help bring it here for a much larger audience of Humboldt personnel.

Arnie Klein: Thanks for bringing up this important topic Allan. I wanted to add that I will throw our own and invite all the counties to participate when elected DA. This would be the most beneficial to Humboldt.

Allan Dollison:Yep. We need urgent action now. This can't wait for the election!
__________________
Read more at the Facebook page. This is a dedicated group of people who are trying to address a huge problem in our community. Stephen Smith, one of those people, urges you to "Take Action: Please visit our website to learn about how to participate in our Working Groups." ◼ Join the conversation.

Firpo and Sundberg attend Hoopa Valley community meeting addressing meth problem

◼ Last weekend Elan was in Hoopa and Southern Humboldt, starting today and over the weekend she is going to be in Arcata, Fortuna, Trinidad and Southern Humboldt. She has future plans to visit Ferndale, again soon. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Wortman gets six years in prison for son's death; leaves plea in place in methamphetamine breast milk case

◼ Mom gets six years in prison for son's death; Wortman leaves plea in place in methamphetamine breast milk case - Times-Standard

A 27-year-old Loleta woman was sentenced to six years in state prison on Monday after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter stemming from the death of her infant son.

The conviction -- which was in doubt up until Maggie Jean Wortman agreed to leave her guilty plea in place on Monday -- is the state's first for voluntary manslaughter in a case where a woman stood accused of passing a lethal dose of methamphetamine to her child through breast milk while nursing.

Wortman's attorney M.C. Bruce pleaded with Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson to be lenient with his client, saying a grant of probation would be appropriate in the case as Wortman is a sober woman who bears little resemblance to the methamphetamine addict taken into custody.

Watson said he felt the matter warranted a prison commitment, saying it could be argued that the maximum 11-year sentence would be more appropriate, primarily because of the vulnerability of the victim in the case....

Wortman pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in February, but did so under the impression she was eligible to receive a grant of probation in the case. Under the California Penal Code, however, Wortman is statutorily ineligible for probation in the case because she committed the manslaughter offense -- which classifies as a violent felony -- while already on felony probation stemming from a May 2010 conviction for maintaining a drug house.

...”I'm asking the court not to punish her because of her addictions,” Bruce said, adding that Wortman has already suffered enough. “This lady has suffered the death of her child -- that's the most horrible thing any of us could ever suffer. No matter what this court does, that is something that is never going to go away for Maggie.”

Bruce went on to argue that a prison sentence would destroy the progress Wortman has made in the more than one year she has been in jail, during which she has been clean, taken classes and undergone psychiatric counseling.

”If this court sends her to prison for six years, we're going to lose her,” Bruce said. “We all know the prisons are full of drugs, and that's a long time to sit with nothing to do. ... If we sentence her to prison for six years, we're throwing her away.”

Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Ben McLaughlin said no one is disputing that Wortman has suffered in the wake of her son's death. But, McLaughlin said, he doesn't see Wortman's case as being any different than that of the alcoholic who gets behind the wheel of a car and causes a fatal collision.

”We're not punishing the addict,” McLaughlin told the court. “What we're doing here, your honor, is punishing the conduct.”...

Not even a plea deal. No evidence.

◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Ben McLaughlin said Wednesday he may choose to refile the murder charge and start the case over again from square one.

”We did not consider a murder count until after the testimony at the preliminary examination but thought there were sufficient facts to support such a charge,” McLaughlin said in an email to the Times-Standard. “Our investigation has continued since the preliminary examination, and we will meet as a group to consider whether or not to refile the murder charge. If we decide to refile, the preliminary examination will be considerably more involved.”

Wortman was arrested after her 6-week-old son, Michael Phillip Acosta III, was taken not breathing to a local hospital the morning of Nov. 21, 2010. Michael was pronounced dead that day, and a subsequent autopsy determined his cause of death to be “methamphetamine toxicity.”

Aaaaaggggghhhh! "meth mouth"

◼ This is Your Mouth on Meth
◼ grotesque (google images)

Maggie Jean Wortman due in court today UPDATE: Charges dismissed

◼ Documents shed light on manslaughter case; mother accused of killing infant son with methamphetamine-laced breast milk due in court today
A 26-year-old Loleta mother facing allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk tested positive for the drug during pregnancy, according to court documents in the case.

Maggie Jean Wortman has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment and is scheduled to appear in Humboldt County Superior Court today for a hearing to set future court dates in the case.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Wortman after a two-month investigation into the death of her son, Michael Phillip Acosta III...

Court records also indicate that Wortman has previously faced criminal charges relating to her care of children.

In February 2010, Wortman was charged with battery, causing or permitting cruelty to a child and committing an immoral act before a child stemming from an incident when she allegedly attacked her husband, Michael Acosta. According to the court documents, Wortman was holding an infant child while repeatedly hitting Acosta in the neck. Responding officers reported finding a “clear glass tube pipe” on the kitchen table of Wortman's residence, according to the court documents.

In May, Wortman pleaded guilty to battery, and the other charges facing her were dismissed. She was ordered to enter a 52-week domestic violence counseling program and given three years probation, according to the documents.

Those interviewed by the Times-Standard who knew Wortman and her family said they suffer great guilt that they didn't try to do more to protect Wortman's children and to have them removed from her care.


And again, who is the spokesperson for the DA's Office? Not the DA.

In the past:
◼ So, what DOES donating 10 Grand to Paul Gallegos get you?
The tribe and its attorney Michael Acosta, former big Gallegos donors.

So what will happen to the charges this time?

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

third time in five months

◼
Search warrant yields meth, prescription drugs; pair lands in jail for third time in five months

The warrant was obtained in response to ongoing complaints of drug sales at the residence, according to a press release, and was the third time in the last five months that officers searched the location. Both Michael Nathaniel McNertney, 45, and Gloria Pearl Lindberg, 23, were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two were out of custody on bail and awaiting trial on previous drug-related charges when EPD detectives searched their apartment Saturday afternoon and reported finding a small amount of heroin, unlawfully possessed prescription muscle relaxants, hypodermic syringes and a trio of hidden storage containers which were empty but are believed to have contained large amounts of heroin, based on residue inside them, according to the release.

Detectives later searched Lindberg's car, where they reported finding a pair of digital gram scales and drug packaging materials. During the search, McNertney's cell phone rang repeatedly, and when a detective answered the phone, an individual asked for McNertney, wanting to purchase several grams of heroin from him, according to the release.

The system under Gallegos is not working.

Maggie Jean Wortman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk. UPDATED

◼ Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

A 26-year-old Loleta woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Maggie Jean Wortman stood before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna clad in a blue jail jumpsuit Tuesday with her hands shackled in front of her and pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years.

Wortman was polite and respectful of the court, but reserved, throughout her brief court appearance Tuesday. When Cissna called the next case on his calendar, Wortman sat down and appeared to begin to weep until being led from the courtroom by a bailiff.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Wortman at the jail on Friday after a two-month investigation. She was in custody for an alleged probation violation stemming from a conviction for maintaining a residence for drug activities. The investigation spawned after Wortman's son, Michael Phillip Acosta III, was transported to a local hospital because he wasn't breathing on Nov. 21 and was later pronounced dead.

A forensic pathologist who reviewed autopsy and toxicology results on the infant concluded his death was caused by “methamphetamine toxicity.” A subsequent toxicology screen of Wortman's 19-month-old daughter also came back positive for methamphetamine, prompting Child Welfare Services to take her into protective custody.

Acosta?

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

Paul Gallegos' DA's Office on FOX news online - HOPE THEY'RE PAYING ATTENTION.

◼ Not guilty plea in CA meth-laced breastmilk death Jan 26, 2011 7:32 PM EST
A Northern California woman has pleaded not guilty to killing her 6-week-old baby by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Prosecutors say 26-year-old Maggie Jean Wortman of Loleta used methamphetamine and passed it to her two children while breast-feeding.

Detectives arrested Wortman last week after a two-month investigation found her son died in November due to "methamphetamine toxicity."

Wortman entered her plea Tuesday in Humboldt County Superior Court. She is charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment.

The Times-Standard of Eureka reports that authorities placed Wortman's 19-month-old daughter in protective custody after she tested positive for methamphetamine.

Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years if convicted on all counts.
___
◼ Information from: Times-Standard, http://www.times-standard.com

◼ Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

Gallegos hits the big time.

More schizophrenic charging UPDATED: Charges dismissed against Maggie Jean Wortman

Higher penalty for accidental fireworks than for dosing your kids (plural) with meth and killing one as a result....
◼ Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

A 26-year-old Loleta woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Maggie Jean Wortman stood before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna clad in a blue jail jumpsuit Tuesday with her hands shackled in front of her and pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years....

A forensic pathologist who reviewed autopsy and toxicology results on the infant concluded his death was caused by “methamphetamine toxicity.” A subsequent toxicology screen of Wortman's 19-month-old daughter also came back positive for methamphetamine, prompting Child Welfare Services to take her into protective custody.

Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said prosecutors are alleging that Wortman used methamphetamine and passed it along to her children while breastfeeding.....

Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor - yet isn't this really second degree murder. Anyone who has had kids and worried about drinking coffee or wine knows the effect, and knows the importance of staying clean when you are pregnant or have nursing babies. And other cases like this are mentioned in this article.

◼ Humboldt County deputy pleads not guilty to child endangerment; arraigned in July 4 fireworks accident case - he is charged with felony child abuse resulting in great bodily injury.

Exposing the child to meth is child abuse - and should get her 3-4 years, manslaughter will get her a year. She's charged with felony child abuse and voluntary manslaughter and he faces one year for the death of her child and he faces up to 10 years for an accidental injury.

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

Fatal shooting ruled to be justified

◼ Fatal shooting ruled to be justified; report found no unlawful conduct in police shooting of Eureka man
A report detailing the events of the fatal shooting of a Eureka man found no evidence of misconduct, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said earlier this week.

99 days

and that flurry of press releases continues. The good news is, Paul Gallegos will work hard for you at least once every four years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2010

CONTACT: District Attorney, Paul V. Gallegos
PHONE: (707)268-2568

MICHAEL SANDOR PITEK

Today in Humboldt Superior Court, a jury returned a guilty verdict convicting Michael Sandor Pitek, 50, of Rio Dell, of driving under the influence of drugs.

On October 10, 2009, Eureka Police officer Gary Cooper saw Pitek driving the wrong way down (one-way) Sixth Street in downtown Eureka. Pitek told the officer that he was being "chased by skinheads." The officer saw no vehicles, or persons, following Pitek and also noticed that Pitek appeared agitated and that he was displaying symptoms consistent with current methamphetamine impairment and with chronic methamphetamine use. A DUI investigation was conducted, which confirmed the officer's initial suspicion. Pitek was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Toxicologist, Nancy Enkema,, an employee of the California Department of Justice, testified that the post-arrest sample of Pitek's blood contained methamphetamine.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben Mainzer.

Records show more than 500 convictions for DUI offenses in Humboldt Superior Court in the first six months of 2010.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos commented "We vigorously prosecute these cases because drivers impaired by the consumption of alcohol and other drugs endanger us all.:"

The Honorable Harold E. Neville Jr., presided over the week-long trial and afterwards sentenced Pitek to 3 years of probation with a search term, to pay a fine in excess of two thousand dollars, and to serve 32 days in jail with credit for that amount already served.

How much is 17 grams of meth?

I mean, is that a little or alot? And how much is that worth?
☛ TS McKinleyville man arrested with 17 grams of meth

...A McKinleyville man was arrested Wednesday after sheriff's deputies allegedly found him in possession of more than 17 grams of methamphetamine.
At about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, a Humboldt County sheriff's deputy conducted a vehicle investigation of a sedan parked at Washington Avenue and Three Cabins Lane in McKinleyville.
As the deputy approached the vehicle a man who had been crouched down next to the passenger door suddenly stood up and started to walk away.
The deputy asked the man, Houston K. Waters, 21, to walk back to the vehicle -- he complied. There were two occupants inside the vehicle. A warrants check revealed that all three individuals were on probation....

☛ ER Man busted for meth

,,,he was allegedly found to have 17.2 grams of meth...

So - here's a random sampling of answers
Life Sentence for 0.03 grams of Meth
Will .0056 grams of meth get you "high"?
...According to Wikipedia, "Methamphetamine is soluble in water; injection users usually dose 0.2 g in 3ml of water through a small needle." Addicts who snort meth or ingest it orally use more of the drug per dosage....
How much does meth cost?
...in Texas,
1/4 of gram is $20
1/2 of gram is $40
1 gram is $80
16th (which is a gram and 3/4 of a gram ) 120.00
8 ball which is 3 1/2 grams is $200.
...and the cost - depends. What are you willing to give? Your home? Your family? Your friends? Your health? Your life?

Montana Meth Project

The Dowdy Steed Fortuna Christmas Murder case

☛ ER Investigation under way in death of Fortuna man on Christmas Eve 12/25/2007
☛ TS Officers sorting through incidents that led to Fortuna man's death 12/26/2007
☛ ER Questions remain in Fortuna homicide; probe continues 12/26/2007
☛ TS Preliminary results point to gunshot wounds as cause of death 12/29/2007
☛ TS Week in Review 12/30/2007
☛ TS Chief says charges will be filed in Fortuna shooting 1/01/2008
☛ ER Arrest warrant to be issued in Fortuna homicide 1/2/2008
☛ ER FPD requests arrest warrant for shooter in homicide 1/12/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve killing leaves one man on suspicion of homicide 1/23/2008
☛ ER Fortuna man charged for involvement in Christmas Eve homicide 1/24/2008
☛ TS Fortuna suspect surrenders in Christmas Eve death 1/24/2008
☛ TS Shooting suspect pleads not guilty 1/26/2008
☛ TS Fortuna man pleads not guilty in fatal Christmas shooting 4/25/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve shooting death case heads to trial 4/29/2008
☛ TS Judge denies motion to dismiss Dowdy case 6/14/2008
☛ ER Jury selection in Christmas Eve homicide to start Monday 6/14/2008
☛ link
☛ TS Fortuna Christmas murder trial begins 7/08/2008
☛ ER Justifiable self-defense argued 7/7/2008
☛ ER Witness testimony continues 7/8/2008
☛ TS Evan Steed testifies about father's death in Fortuna murder trial 7/09/2008
☛ ER Fortuna murder case continues 7/9/2008
☛ TS Scene of shooting described in murder trial's third day 7/10/2008
☛ ER Steed died from gunshot, specialist says 7/10/2008
☛ TS Forensic pathologist testifies in Dowdy trial 7/11/2008
☛ TS Jurors hear Dowdy's post-shooting interviews 7/12/2008
☛ ER Dowdy admits shooting man, but didn’t intend to kill 7/12/2008
☛ ER Department of Justice witnesses to testify today 7/14/2008
☛ TS Witnesses: Testimony in Dowdy trial differs from statements 7/15/2008
☛ ER Dowdy says he wasn't shooting to kill David Steed 7/16/2008
☛ ER Testimony in Christmas Eve murder trial to conclude Thursday, jury to start deliberations Monday 7/16/2008
☛ TS Dowdy's former friend testifies in shooting trial 7/16/2008

A former friend and roommate of Thomas Dowdy Jr. testified in his second-degree murder trial Tuesday that Dowdy acted on his own volition when he allegedly stole a trailer filled with firewood, sparking a confrontation that ended in the fatal Christmas Eve shooting of David Steed.
Amber Herman, 20, testified she spoke with Dowdy days before the Dec. 24, 2007 shooting about a trailer filled with firewood, which Steed had placed for sale on a roadside near his residence. Herman told jurors she asked Dowdy not to steal the trailer, but “he just sorta snickered and said, 'Don't tell my parents.'”
In interviews taken after the shooting, 22-year-old Dowdy told police three weeks before the shooting Herman had asked him to steal the firewood for her mother, who had recently run out of wood. When he returned with the wood, Dowdy told police Herman had changed her mind, and “acted like she was joking.”
Herman testified she never told Dowdy her mother needed the wood, and the trailer belonged to her father, Kenneth Hughes -- a close friend of Steed's -- who then notified Steed of the theft.

☛ TS Dowdy takes the stand in Fortuna murder trial 7/17/2008
☛ TS Dowdy testifies in Christmas Eve murder trial 7/18/2008
☛ ER Closing arguments in Christmas Eve murder trial slated for Monday 7/18/2008
☛ ER Final arguments made in Fortuna Christmas Eve murder 7/21/08
☛ TS Dowdy case sent to jurors 7/22/2008
☛ TS Dowdy acquitted of murder
Thomas Dowdy Jr. was acquitted of second-degree murder in the Christmas Eve shooting death of David Steed on Thursday, but the court declared a mistrial on the lesser manslaughter charge due to a hung jury.

The foreman told the court the jury was deadlocked 11-1 on the manslaughter charge after voting on the matter four or five times during more than three days of deliberation. Sources told the Times-Standard the 11 jurors voted not guilty on the manslaughter charge, but prosecutor Ben McLaughlin and Dowdy's attorney, Blair Angus, would not comment on which way the vote fell.

McLaughlin did say that the one opposing juror refused to engage in deliberations.

”My understanding is that when they got to the manslaughter, this juror had his or her mind made up and would not deliberate,” McLaughlin said.

☛ ER Dowdy’s future remains unclear after mistrial declared

Update: ☛ ER Dowdy pleads guilty to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter 7/29/08

Thomas Dowdy Jr. has been released from the Humboldt County jail or will be released later today with time served. He has been in custody since late January for the Christmas eve 2007 murder of Fortuna resident David Steed.

The jury found him not guilty last week of second-degree murder but was deadlocked regarding the voluntary manslaughter charge. The judge declared a mistrial last week because of that deadlock.

The family of Steed was visibly upset in court today.

☛ TS Dowdy to be released today

Thomas Dowdy Jr. will be released from the Humboldt County jail today after entering a plea of no contest to manslaughter at 2 p.m.

For the misdemeanor crime, Dowdy was sentenced to time already served without probation, and is to be discharged after he is processed at the jail, where he serves 190 days since January, following the Christmas Eve 2007 shooting death of Fortuna resident David Steed.

During his trial, Dowdy faced second-degree murder charges after fatally shooting Steed twice -- in the back and elbow.
After two weeks of testimony, the jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder, but deadlocked on the manslaughter charge, 11-1 in favor of Dowdy's innocence.

☛ TS Dowdy: No contest to manslaughter 7/30/08
☛ ER Fortuna Christmas Eve murder suspect freed 7/30/08

Meth campaign debuts new ads

ER Meth campaign debuts new ads
But will they be on a par with the Montana Meth Project?
(image from MMP's first campaign below) Follow that link, the new spots are just as powerful. "Our first campaign focused on the impact Meth has on the individual—the user. Our latest ads show the collateral damage that occurs to users' family and friends. This new concept is based directly on input from Montana teens."
Tom Siebel
Montana Meth Project Founder and Vice-chairman

Meth again.

'Massive' meth overdose killed man found on back porch

Good Goin'!

ER Drug task force reels in big fish

Three children were taken into protective custody and nine people were arrested following a drug bust Wednesday evening.

Wednesday’s bust was the culmination of a five-month investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine and cocaine distribution operation, said Special Agent Supervisor Jack Nelsen, commander of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force...

...Those arrested and alleged to be involved in the “high-scale” drug distribution were not just people one would see on the street, “dealing hand to hand,” in the community, Nelsen said.

These were “big-level” drug dealers dealing with “mid-level” dealers, Nelsen said.

“This would be the top of the food chain.”

TS Nine arrested in five-month-long drug investigation

Nearly $200,000 in drugs were seized and nine people arrested -- including the owner of a taco truck -- after a five-month-long, multi-agency investigation, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agent Jack Nelsen announced Thursday.

Arrests were made at a number of locations Wednesday, including homes in McKinleyville and the taco truck at the intersection of Seventh and I streets in Arcata. Methamphetamine and cocaine were found at several sites. Eight adults and one teenager were arrested.

”As far as Humboldt County, this is the top of the food chain,” Nelsen said.

Update:
Drug bust defendants appear in court