Two US Forest Service employees have been released after being held hostage for over 12 hours in the Shasta-Trinity national forest in California. The incident began on Thursday morning, when a USFS law enforcement officer reported that a man had two employees restrained with zip ties and was holding them at gunpoint inside a trailer.
The man, identified as 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen, was later found to be armed with an AR-15 and knives. He had demanded to speak with the FBI, prompting a massive response from law enforcement across the region. Authorities began negotiations with Henrichsen around 4pm on Thursday, which ultimately led to the safe release of the hostages at 2am on Friday morning.
Both Henrichsen and his son, Phoenix Henrichsen, were taken into custody after emerging from the trailer. They are expected to face charges of kidnapping of a federal employee. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of workers in remote areas, particularly those involved in routine fieldwork.
According to reports, Henrichsen had a previous history of alleged harassment, including a 2022 incident in which he was accused of a hate crime in Washington state. However, the case was dismissed due to delays in admitting him to a state hospital.
The incident has highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of workers in remote areas, particularly those involved in critical infrastructure projects.