Inside Humboldt Courts: Trials Pending, Healthcare Scrutinized, Alleged Pedophilia & More

 Left, defendant Jake Combs; Center, plaintiff Anna Nusslock; right, defendant Briyan Marquardt. [Composite image by Kym Kemp.]

In this column, Redheaded Blackbelt provides a regular look at what’s moving through the local courts—tracking hearings, trials, and filings in cases that are either well known or warrant closer public attention.

FRIDAY’S ROUND-UP:

IN THE CASE OF: Anna Nusslock v. St. Joseph Health 

Anna Nusslock, inside the courtroom during a People vs. Providence St. Joseph prior hearing. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Plaintiff Anna Nusslock, represented by attorneys Noel Leon and Connor Rubin, appeared by video. 

Nusslock’s attorneys arrived having previously filed two motions – one to compel production of documents, and one to quash the hospital’s subpoena for her mental health records. Before arguments began, Nusslock’s legal team withdrew the motion to compel, focusing the hearing entirely on fighting the subpoena for her private records.”

The court set a deadline of May 8, 2026 for the records to be delivered, directing both sides to work together to obtain them and stating a preference that materials come directly from the records custodian rather than through the plaintiff’s lawyers.

That case is scheduled for a “long cause” jury trial in December 2026, which means the trial is expected to span more than a week. The case runs parallel to the California Attorney General’s separate civil enforcement action against St. Joseph Hospital, which centers on the hospital’s alleged refusal to provide emergency abortion care.

IN THE CASE OF: Briyan Marquardt  

Briyan Lee Marquardt has been held without any possibility of bail since March 8 on charges of sexually abusing a child by force and rape by force, based on alleged conduct in September of 2018. 

Photo from 2015 of Briyan Marquardt

His April 30 preliminary examination was continued at the defense’s request, citing the need for additional discovery materials, to May 19, 2026.

Unlike many defendants who are held on high bail they simply can’t afford, Marquardt was ordered held with no bail at all, which reflects the seriousness of the allegations against him, and the court’s perception that he could either be a danger to the public, or a flight risk, if released.

Marquardt is represented by Deputy Public Defender Russo, while Deputy District Attorney Boozari is prosecuting.

IN THE CASE OF: Sebastion Hockett  

Sebastion John Hockett, 32, has been held without bail since March 30, 2023 – more than 1,128 days – in a case that has grown into one of the most expansive child sex abuse cases in recent Humboldt County memory.

At an April 29 readiness conference, the May 18 trial date was pushed back several weeks at the request of both sides – and a new trial date has not yet been set. A further trial readiness conference is scheduled for May 7, where counselors are expected to pin down a future trial date.

The third amended complaint, filed June 12, 2025 and signed by Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer, lays out nine counts related to crimes against two child victims across more than three years and two counties. Prosecutors allege that Hockett, who was 18 or older at the time, sexually abused a child born in 2010, on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2022.

A second victim, also born in 2010, is named in charges tied to Stanislaus County in April 2019. Stanislaus County agreed to let Humboldt County prosecute those charges. A ninth count alleges Hockett possessed child sexual abuse material as of December 31, 2022.

A special aggravating circumstances allegation applies to five of the nine counts, based on the alleged involvement of multiple victims under the age of 14. Prosecutors further allege the victims were particularly vulnerable, that the crimes reflect planning and sophistication, and that Hockett abused a position of trust. Hockett is represented by Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield, and DA Schaffer is prosecuting.

IN THE CASE OF: Jake Combs 

Jake Combs’ booking photo.

The murder retrial of Jake Henry Combs entered its fifth day Friday. Combs, 34, was originally convicted by a jury in August 2023 of first-degree murder and a special allegation of personally firing a gun causing the death of Trevor Earley.

That judgment was reopened on appeal in July 2025. 

Detailed court minutes from Thursday’s Day 4 proceedings reveal a full day of jury selection with a 68-person panel. Jury selection continues, likely going through early next week.

The murder victim in the case, Trevor Earley. 

Separately, a new felony complaint was filed April 30 in a related case, charging Combs with possession of methamphetamine inside the jail, a felony, with a prior felony conviction cited as an aggravating factor. The alleged incident occurred August 1, 2025, while Combs was housed at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility awaiting retrial.

Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is prosecuting; Deputy Public Defenders Emery Welton and Ryan McClurg represent the defense.

IN THE CASE OF: Callie Buck  

A day after a bench warrant was issued for her failure to appear, former Fortuna attorney Callie Rose Buck showed up Friday via video conference, and the $5,000 arrest warrant was recalled. 

Buck entered a not guilty plea to a single misdemeanor count of petty theft stemming from an alleged December 18, 2025 incident at Fortuna Liquor. The Public Defender’s office was appointed to represent her. A jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026.

Court minutes in the case reflect that on April 30, Buck was not present, and the “arrest warrant” was issued. However, according to the court minutes of Friday May 1, the warrant was both put on record with the court but also “recalled” at the continued arraignment hearing, which Buck did appear remotely for. 

Buck’s history in Humboldt County courts is extensive. Records show 21 cases dating back to 2018, including DUI charges, assault and battery, and four sealed cases. Her law license was revoked following a criminal conviction in 2023, and Buck is no longer eligible to practice in California.

IN THE CASE OF:  Alexander McLennan

Alexander Miles McLennan, 36, faces two felony counts of child abuse, with alleged criminal conduct spanning June 2024 through December 2025 in Humboldt County involving two young boys. 

Prosecutors say McLennan willfully harmed two children in his care under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death. The first count carries an additional great bodily injury allegation, making it both a serious and violent felony under the law.

McLennan appeared at his April 7 arraignment represented by private criminal defense attorney Kathleen Bryson, who entered not guilty pleas on both counts. A criminal protective order was issued and served in court that same day. 

A related family court case involving accusations of domestic violence with McLennan has also been open since December 2025. The preliminary hearing is set for June 10, 2026. Deputy District Attorney Buckley-Stein is handling this case for the DA’s office.

Humboldt County Correctional Facility. [Composite image by Ryan Hutson]

This column is mostly based on court records and daily calendars but may include a reporter in the courtroom. This reporting is intended to give readers a clearer sense of how criminal or civil cases progress over time. When court hearings produce significant new information, those developments may be covered separately in a more thorough news article. As with all criminal matters, individuals named here are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

If you know of a case that has significant public interest that you would like followed, email us at [email protected].