A father and son face federal charges of kidnapping after allegedly holding two US Forest Service biologists hostage, prosecutors say.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal judge ordered Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen to remain in custody Monday during their first appearance in federal court, finding the father and son pose a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Newly released federal court documents also provide new details about the hostage standoff near Gumboot Lake in Siskiyou County.



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According to the criminal complaint, two U.S. Forest Service biologists were conducting frog habitat research when prosecutors say Joseph Henrichsen approached them carrying an AR-15-style rifle. Investigators allege he ordered the women to put their hands in the air, zip-tied their wrists behind their backs and forced them into a nearby camping trailer.

Prosecutors also allege Joseph Henrichsen forced one of the hostages into a U.S. Forest Service truck and drove several miles away. Using the victim’s phone, investigators say he called a Forest Service ranger and another acquaintance while demanding to speak with the FBI.

In one voicemail quoted in the complaint, Joseph Henrichsen allegedly said, “I’ve taken two fed biologists hostage… she’s zip-tied… send me an FBI investigator.”

The complaint also details prosecutors’ allegations against Phoenix Henrichsen.

Investigators allege Phoenix Henrichsen remained inside the trailer with the hostages whenever his father left. According to the complaint, one of the victims told investigators Phoenix Henrichsen “kept watch” over her. Prosecutors say those allegations form the basis for the federal kidnapping charge he faces alongside his father.

“It wasn’t until about 4 o’clock, about 4:20, that we were able to begin negotiations with Mr. Henrichsen,” Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah La Rue said. “And there’s a lot that transpired between that.”

According to the complaint, negotiations continued for several hours, around 8:20 p.m. Thursday, investigators allege Joseph Henrichsen claimed he had a grenade and threatened to use it if officers moved closer.

The standoff continued into Friday morning. Investigators say both hostages were released shortly after 1 a.m. Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered about 90 minutes later, and Joseph Henrichsen surrendered minutes after that.

Both men are charged with two counts of kidnapping and aiding and abetting. They are scheduled to return to federal court Aug. 3.

In court today, Phoenix Henrichsen.

Investigators have not said why Joseph Henrichsen allegedly wanted to speak specifically with the FBI.

If convicted, both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison, five years of supervised release, a possible $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment for each count.

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