Two U.S. Forest Service biologists were allegedly kidnapped while surveying frog habitat in Shasta-Trinity National Forest and held in a trailer near Gumboot Lake for about 15 hours. Authorities identified suspects as Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his son Phoenix, 23; the pair surrendered after lengthy negotiations and claims the elder had a grenade. Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee and face possible life sentences and fines. The FBI is seeking public tips as the investigation continues.
Two Forest Service Biologists Held Hostage for 15 Hours Near Gumboot Lake; Father and Son Charged
Gumboot Lake in Shasta-Trinity national forest.Photograph: Carol Underhill US Forest Service
Two U.S. Forest Service biologists conducting frog-habitat surveys in a remote part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest were allegedly kidnapped and held for roughly 15 hours after an armed man confronted them near Gumboot Lake in Siskiyou County, California.
Federal court documents and law-enforcement reports identify the suspects as 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his 23-year-old son, Phoenix Henrichsen. Authorities say the elder Henrichsen approached the women carrying an AR-15, ordered them to raise their hands, bound them with zip ties and forced them into a nearby trailer where they remained overnight.
According to the criminal complaint, Joseph Henrichsen separated the two hostages at one point and drove one to a nearby lake. He used her phone to call a U.S. Forest Service ranger and left a voicemail in which he said he had taken two Forest Service biologists hostage and warned he had live ammunition.
"I've taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service. [Victim 1] is ziptied, her hands are behind her fucking back, and I've got live rounds ready to fucking [inaudible] anyone who fucks with me," the message read, according to the complaint. He added that he wanted a federal investigator, preferably from the FBI.
Siskiyou County sheriff's deputies said they initially could not confirm the call until drone footage showed an armed man and a restrained person at the campground. That footage triggered a rapid multiagency response that included local sheriff's offices and police departments, as well as the FBI's hostage response team.
Negotiations with Joseph Henrichsen stretched for hours. Law enforcement says he at one point claimed to possess a grenade and threatened to detonate it if officers advanced. After protracted discussions, Joseph released one hostage and shortly after the second hostage exited the trailer. Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered without incident at about 2:30 a.m.
Both men were charged in federal court with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee. If convicted, each faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The FBI has asked the public for any first-hand information that could aid the investigation.
Public records show the men previously lived in Washington state. In 2022, Joseph Henrichsen was accused in Bellingham of harassing his landlords; a judge later found him incompetent to stand trial and the case was dismissed after delays in admitting him to a state psychiatric facility. News reports at the time quoted Phoenix describing his father as "unstable" and prone to emotional outbursts.
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