U.S. Forest Service Employees Rescued After 15-Hour Hostage Ordeal
Two U.S. Forest Service employees were kidnapped and held at gunpoint for 15 hours while conducting field work in California’s remote Shasta-Trinity National Forest before being rescued in a coordinated law enforcement operation.
The Forest Service biologists were studying frog habitats near Gumboot Lake Campground when they were abducted.
According to court documents, 49-year-old Joseph Henrichsen went up to the two female biologists with an AR-15-style rifle, zip-tied their hands behind their backs, and ordered them to a nearby trailer, where Henrichsen’s 23-year-old son Phoenix was waiting.
During the ordeal, the victims were mostly held at gunpoint in the trailer.
At one point, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly drove one of the biologists in their Forest Service-issued Nissan and used her phone to make calls to an acquaintance and a Forest Service ranger.
“I’ve taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service,” Joseph said in the message, the affidavit alleges. “I’m driving in the ranger vehicle right now.”
Multi-Agency Response
After law enforcement was notified, federal, state, and local personnel from eight counties rushed to the isolated campground, with the FBI deploying agents from Redding, Sacramento, and its crisis negotiation, SWAT, and evidence response teams. The Hostage Rescue Team also flew in from Quantico, Virginia.
Amid the gathering law enforcement presence, Joseph Henrichsen used the Nissan’s radio to contact authorities using an alias and demanded to speak with the FBI.
Negotiations went on for nine hours. At one point during the talks, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly said he had a grenade and threatened to use it unless officers moved away from a truck.
Shortly after 1am on Friday, July 17, one biologist was released, with the second released about six minutes later.
About 90 minutes later, law enforcement was able to talk Phoenix Henrichsen into surrendering, followed by his father.
“Shocked and Worried”
“This incident has hit Forest Service employees hard, everywhere,” said Jacque Buchanan, acting regional forester of the Pacific Southwest Region in a statement to SFGATE. “We’re shocked, we’re worried about our coworkers, and we’re reminded how tightly connected this workforce really is. The forests and communities we serve are also the places we call home — so when they’re violated like this, we all feel it.”
Both Henrichsens are in federal custody and face multiple federal charges, including kidnapping federal employees. Authorities have not disclosed a motive.
