A father and son in Northern California are facing serious charges after allegedly kidnapping two biologists from the U.S. Forest Service during a wildlife research trip. This incident turned into a tense 15-hour hostage situation, as reported by federal authorities.
Joseph Charles Henriksen, 49, and his son Phoenix Henriksen, 23, were charged with kidnapping after they reportedly held the women captive in a camper trailer near Gamboot Lake Campground within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The biologists were conducting a survey on frog habitats when Joseph Henriksen confronted them, brandishing an AR-15-style rifle, forcing them to comply by zip-tying their hands behind their backs, according to an FBI affidavit.
Once inside, the biologists were confined in a nearby white camper while Phoenix helped create space for them, apparently remaining tied up himself. One biologist later mentioned that Phoenix kept an eye on his father whenever he left the trailer.
During this harrowing ordeal, Joseph Henriksen allegedly drove one of the women a few miles toward Lake Siskiyou in a Forest Service vehicle. He used her phone to leave a voicemail for someone and, suspiciously, also called a Forest Service ranger, claiming, “I have taken two nutritional biologists from the Forest Service hostage.” He warned that anyone attempting to intervene would be shot.
Concerned authorities were alerted, prompting the FBI to negotiate with Henriksen after he contacted them using a false name on the radio. Negotiations spanned about nine hours while law enforcement cordoned off the remote site.
Things escalated further when Joseph threatened the use of a grenade if law enforcement didn’t back off. Eventually, early Friday morning, one biologist was released and made her way to officers, followed by the second woman just minutes later.
Investigators later confirmed that both women had been kidnapped at gunpoint and held involuntarily. After the hostages were safe, Phoenix surrendered around 2:30 a.m., with his father following shortly after.
Both men are now in federal custody and faced a judge on Monday. Their initial court hearing is set for August 3 in Sacramento, where they could face life imprisonment and substantial fines if convicted.
The Forest Service released a statement focusing on supporting the affected employees while addressing the shock and concern throughout the agency. Jack Buchanan, a deputy forester, expressed how deeply this incident has resonated, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the Forest Service community and the impact of such violence in their dedicated work environments.
