Humboldt County Drug Task Force Arrests Two Individuals in Narcotics and Human Trafficking Investigation

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On May 27, 2024, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SWAT Team, served a search warrant at a hotel located in the 100 block of 4^th Street in Eureka, and arrest warrants on Michael Caleb Reed (Age 39) and Pa Cheng (Age 32). After a multi-month investigation, the HCDTF gathered evidence that Reed and Cheng were traveling to southern California to purchase large quantities of narcotics. Reed and Cheng would transport the narcotics back to Humboldt County for the purpose of sales. Reed is a convicted felon and is currently on parole for felony evasion. Reed has a lengthy history of leading law enforcement on highspeed chases throughout the state of California, one of which resulted in a collision where a Eureka Police Officer was severely injured in 2020.

 

During the investigation, HCDTF Agents authored search warrants for Reed and Cheng’s social media accounts. Upon reviewing the data on Reed’s account, Agents discovered a video of Reed and Cheng having sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 16. Agents also discovered that Reed had distributed the video of him and Cheng having sexual intercourse with the minor, as well as other sexually explicit images/videos of the same minor to other individuals.

Upon reviewing the messages and data on both Reed and Cheng’s social media, Agents located evidence indicative of Reed and Cheng engaging in human trafficking and prostitution. It is believed that the victims observed on the social media accounts were also potential juveniles.

At 1730 hours, HCSO SWAT Operators and HCSO K9 Rex set up in a parking lot of a business located in the 100 block of 6^th Street and awaited Reed and Cheng’s arrival on the Amtrak Bus. Once the bus arrived both Reed and Cheng were apprehended. Reed was in possession of several duffle bags. Inside the bags Agents located two ounces of cocaine, one ounce of heroin, one pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.

 

After Reed and Cheng were detained, Agents responded to their hotel room where they located a stolen handgun hidden in the wall, and more evidence indicative of human trafficking and prostitution.

 

Reed was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:

PC 288.2(A)(2)             Showing/sending harmful material to seduce a minor.

PC 261.5(d)                  Statutory rape of a minor

PC 287(B)(2)                Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16

PC 182(A)(1)                Conspiracy

PC 311.11(a)                Possession of child pornography

PC 30305(a)                 Felon in possession of ammunition

PC 25850(a)                 Illegal possession of a firearm

PC 29800(a)                 Felon in possession of a firearm

HS 11370.1(a)             Possession of a firearm with a controlled substance

HS 11352(a)                Transportation of Narcotics

HS 11352(B)                Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties

HS 11351                     Possession for sales, narcotics

HS 11379 (a)               Transportation of controlled substance

HS 11379(b)                Transportation of controlled substance, noncontiguous counties

HS 11378                     Possession for sales, controlled substance.

 

The HCDTF will also be investigating additional charges for the stolen firearm located in Reed’s room, human trafficking, pimping, pandering, and distribution of child pornography.

Cheng was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where she was booked for the following charges:

PC 287(B)(2)    Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16

HS 11352(a)    Transportation of narcotics

HS 11352(B)    Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties

HS 11351         Possession for sales, narcotics

HS 11379 (a)   Transportation of controlled substance

HS 11378         Possession for sales, controlled substance.

 

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has information about this case in regard to the victims of human trafficking please call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.