Child Sex Abuse Trial Underway, Alleged Courthouse Arsonist Committed to State Hospital and More, Inside Humboldt Courts

Humboldt County Superior Court handles a steady flow of criminal cases each day, but most proceedings pass without much public notice unless they result in major developments.

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. As always, any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

MONDAY’S ROUND-UP:

IN THE CASE OF: Stephen Paiment — Arson Suspect Committed 

The car allegedly set on fire by Stephen Paiment, was pulled from the courthouse lawn to the streetside following the fire response. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

A McKinleyville man facing felony arson charges has been ordered committed to a California state psychiatric hospital after a judge found him incompetent to stand trial — and determined it is in the interest of justice to attempt to restore him to competency.

Stephen Paul Paiment, 69, of McKinleyville was ordered by Judge Steven M. Steward to be “committed to the state hospital” on Friday, May 15, following a Placement Hearing and Interest of Justice hearing. 

Criminal proceedings remain suspended while the defendant is under the care and observation of the State Hospital system. A 90-day review hearing is scheduled for August 13, 2026, in Felony Court. Paiment is charged with felony arson of property, misdemeanor vandalism of courthouse grounds, and a littering infraction stemming from the August 2025 incident. 

On the morning of August 23, 2025, passersby on northbound Highway 101 witnessed something entirely unexpected occurring in front of the county courthouse in Eureka.  

Redheaded Blackbelt arrived on scene just as first responders had succeeded in putting out the flames – after Paiment allegedly set his 4-door sedan ablaze on the courthouse lawn. Not only that, but before doing so, he had allegedly scrawled several words including “WHITE MAN GETS BEAT BY COPS”, “NUCLEAR POWER PLANT COVER UP”, and “BAD COPS” among other messages all over the vehicle in black – and allegedly scattered dozens of paper notes with matching statements written on them, all along the three lanes of Hwy 101 north-bound traffic passing by the county courthouse.

Index card sixed paper notes can be seen strewn across Fifth Street/101 North as firefighters and police work the scene of Paiment’s alleged arson, Saturday 23, moments after extinguishing the blaze. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

He was booked into Humboldt County Jail on February 19, 2026 on a bench warrant after failing to appear at an earlier court date. He has been held in custody since, with bail set at $75,000 — which he has not posted.

The court found that Paiment should participate in the inpatient treatment program as recommended by the Community Program Director (CONREP), and ordered him committed to a state hospital facility. 

The case has wound through a lengthy competency evaluation process. On April 10, Doctors Lamers and Rassti submitted their reports, resulting in the court finding Paiment not competent to stand trial. Criminal proceedings were suspended Monday following a preliminary examination. 

This means that the pathway forward to trial depends on the State’s attempt to restore Paiment’s competency – underscoring his ability to understand and participate in the proceedings against him – through inpatient psychiatric treatment before criminal proceedings can resume.

The District Attorney is represented by DA Boozaki. Public Defender Orbelian represents Paiment.

IN THE CASE OF: Steve Boudreaux — Child Sex Offender Sentencing Tomorrow 

A man convicted last December of seven felony counts of child sex abuse faces sentencing this Wednesday — and with One Strike special allegations found true on three counts, he faces the possibility of multiple consecutive 25-years-to-life terms.

Steve Elliot Boudreaux, now 51, of Arcata is set to be sentenced at 8:31 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 in Courtroom One. His sentencing follows a jury trial before Judge Kaleb Cockrum that concluded December 9, 2025, when jurors returned guilty verdicts on six felony counts of “lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14” and two counts of “oral copulation or penetration with a child under 10” according to court records. 

Special allegations of a separate, prior felony sex offense carrying a 25-year enhancement were found true by the court on three of those counts on December 12.

On May 1, Judge Cockrum had denied Boudreaux’s motion for a new trial. A motion to continue the original May 1 sentencing date was granted, pushing the proceeding to tomorrow.

Boudreaux has been held in Humboldt County Jail without bail since January 16, 2024 — 854 days as of today, and is represented by the Public Defender’s office. DA Whitney Timm prosecuted.

The One Strike law in California mandates a 25 years to life sentence for certain serious sex offenses against children. With three of those special allegations found true, Boudreaux faces the potential for significant mandatory consecutive sentencing – which would mean he would serve those terms back-to-back. The specifics of Boudreaux’s sentencing will be reported as soon as the court minutes are available.

NOTE: Because independent courtroom reporting is expensive and time-intensive work, portions of this update are based on official court minutes and records rather than full in-person courtroom coverage. Reader support helps fund more firsthand reporting from inside Humboldt County courtrooms.   

IN THE CASE OF: Trinidad Gomez — Child Sex Abuse Trial Begins 

A McKinleyville man accused of repeatedly molesting a young girl over a four-year period is now on trial in Humboldt County Superior Court — and the case has been a long time coming to this point.

Trinidad Cortez Gomez, 46, faces two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years of age. 

According to the Complaint filed by the Humboldt County District Attorney’s office, the alleged abuse occurred at Gomez’s McKinleyville home and in his vehicle, spanning from June 2020 through June 2024. The alleged victim born in 2010 was approximately nine years old when the abuse is alleged to have begun, and thirteen when it allegedly ended, according to court records. Prosecutors further allege that Gomez “took advantage of a position of trust or confidence” to commit the offenses.

Gomez has been held in Humboldt County Jail without the possibility of bail since July 6, 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts against him, and is represented by Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is prosecuting the case.

The road to trial has been anything but smooth, with the case bounced between multiple judges amid continuances and a defense-filed disqualification of Judge Steven Steward earlier this month. 

On May 12, an Intervention Hearing — in which a judge steps in to facilitate last-minute resolution discussions — was held before Judge Kelly Neel, with court minutes noting it was “heard and continued one day, possible resolution.” However, no resolution followed. A couple days later, the case was transferred again. 

Jury Trial began on Friday, before Judge John T. Feeney in Courtroom Seven, where jury questionnaires were discussed and scheduling was addressed. The process continues with jury selection today. 

IN THE CASE OF: Briyan Marquardt — 2018 Child Sex Crimes Charged in 2026

Photo from 2015 of Briyan Marquardt

A McKinleyville man is facing two felony charges alleging child sex offenses from 2018 — filed eight years after the alleged crimes occurred. Instead of having the preliminary examination hearing today, the People have been granted a continuance to June 4, giving the DA’s office two additional weeks to prepare.  

Briyan Lee Marquardt, 68 age 37*, of McKinleyville, was arrested on a Ramey warrant and booked into Humboldt County Jail on March 8, 2026. 

He has been held without bail since, now 71 days in custody. He faces a felony count of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14 (Penal Code 288(b)(1)) for an alleged offense on September 1, 2018, and a felony count of rape by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear (Penal Code 261(a)(2)) for an alleged offense on September 9, 2018. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts.

He is represented by the Public Defender’s office.

*NOTE: The correct age of Briyan Marquardt is 37. We apologize for the error.

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

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

EARLIER:

• Chop Shop Felon Heads to Prison, Alleged Would-Be Cop Killer Awaits Trial, Combs Murder Retrial Continues: Inside Humboldt Courts 
• Mercer-Fraser Allegedly Violates Conservation Terms, Defendant Takes Stand in Combs Murder Retrial, and More Inside Humboldt Courts
•  Alleged Murder in Defense of Dog, Possible Plea Deal for Repeat Sex Crimes, and Wrongful Death at the Lamplighter Inside Humboldt Courts
• Retrial on The Same Facts, the Same Photographs, the Same Dead 25-Year-Old: Combs Jury Deliberates, and Separate Eureka Felony Case Progresses Inside Humboldt Courts
• Guilty Again: Jake Combs Retrial Ends as Prosecutors File Toddler Death Case and Sex Abuse Defendant Takes Plea, Inside Humboldt Courts