California men accused of kidnapping Forest Service workers plead not guilty

The men waived their right to a speedy trial. Their next court appearance is in November.SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Two men accused of kidnapping U.S. Forest Service workers last month said nothing Monday as they sat before a federal magistrate judge in California’s capital.Authorities say Joseph “Charles” Henrichsen, 49, and his son, Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, held Forest Service employees hostage for several hours in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The FBI arrested the pair at their trailer on July 17, and they appeared in court Monday.The men entered the courtroom in shackles and orange jail uniforms. They pleaded not guilty through their attorneys, demanded a jury trial and remain jailed without bond.U.S. Magistrate Judge Sean Riordan said the hearing was originally scheduled as a preliminary hearing, but a grand jury’s indictment Thursday made that unnecessary.The elder Henrichsen said he had reviewed the indictment, while his son waived a reading of the charges in open court. Riordan nonetheless advised both men of the charges and maximum penalties they face if convicted.Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee. Joseph Henrichsen also faces two counts each of assaulting a federal employee with a deadly weapon and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, plus one count of assaulting a federal officer.The kidnapping charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Joseph Henrichsen also faces up to 20 years on each assault with a deadly weapon charge and substantial fines. The remaining charges carry lesser penalties.The men also face the forfeiture of certain property if convicted, including any money linked to the offenses, as well as firearms and ammunition.“Let’s deal with speedy trial issues now,” Riordan said.Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Campbell said the government must provide the defense with extensive discovery, including videos, witness testimony and physical evidence. He asked the judge to waive the Speedy Trial Act, which generally requires trial to begin within about two months of an indictment.Defense attorneys for both men agreed to waive their clients’ rights under that act.The men are next scheduled to appear in court for a Nov. 30 status conference.Speaking after the hearing, Assistant Federal Defender Mia Crager, who represents Joseph Henrichsen, told Courthouse News the status conference was simply a placeholder on the court’s calendar.“We usually need more time than that,” she added.In many cases, the hearing doesn’t occur, as attorneys file briefs with the court instead. However, in cases where no movement has occurred for an extended period, a judge may call a status conference, Crager said.Last week, Crager, in a statement to Courthouse News, said the July incident was preventable and stemmed from system failures on different levels.“Mr. Henrichsen intended no harm to these individuals,” she added. “He hopes that some good will come of the case, including that his son Phoenix will get the mental health care he sorely needs.”According to law enforcement, Joseph Henrichsen encountered two Forest Service employees conducting frog habitat surveys near Gumboot Lake Campground in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on July 16. Armed with an AR-10 semiautomatic rifle, he ordered them to turn around and raise their hands before binding their wrists with zip ties and marching them to his trailer near the campground.Along the way, the employees encountered Phoenix. Joseph Henrichsen told his son to clear space in the trailer for the captives to sit, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit.The older Henrichsen took one of the victims at some point, put her in a Forest Service Nissan and drove several miles. He then used the employee’s phone to make several calls, leaving a voicemail for someone he knew, the agent wrote.In that voicemail, the elder Henrichsen said he had live rounds and that he wanted to speak with the FBI.Law enforcement learned about the incident, spurring several agencies to respond to the area. FBI crisis negotiators worked for hours, securing the hostages’ release after some 15 hours, around 1 a.m. July 17. Both Henrichsens surrendered about 90 minutes later.Categories / Courts, CriminalSubscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads