Humboldt County Man Indicted on Murder Charges by Federal Grand Jury

       Dept. of Justice Press Release:

A federal grand jury in San Francisco today indicted Mikal Xylon Wilde, of Humboldt County, with murder during narcotics offense, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 1000 or more marijuana plants, manufacture and possession with intent to distribute 1000 or more marijuana plants, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense and crime of violence, use of a firearm causing death in the form of murder, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced. The defendant is alleged to have operated a marijuana farm with approximately 1500 marijuana plants in Humboldt County.  Wilde is also charged with having used a firearm during the course of the narcotics offense to kill Mario Roberto Juarez-Madrid, originally from Guatemala, who was working on the marijuana farm at the time of the murder on Aug. 25, 2010.

           The defendant is currently in custody in Humboldt County on state murder charges arising from the same incident. The defendant will make his initial appearance in federal court in Eureka before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor J. Vadas….

              “I want to thank United States Attorney Melinda Haag and her office for their commitment to the safety and security of the people of Humboldt County and her partnership and collaboration in this and many other cases involving allegations of violence in our communities,” said Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos…

           Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Mr. Wilde must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 The Times Standard has more on the testimony that led to the indictment.