Cut It Out: Redwood Theft Investigation Leads to Arrest of McKinleyville Man, Second Suspect Sought

California State Park Peace Officers have arrested a McKinleyville man and identified a second suspect in connection with the theft of old-growth redwood from Humboldt Redwoods State Park, where investigators estimate more than $32,000 in public resources was stolen.

According to a California State Parks press release, Christopher David Guffie, 63, of McKinleyville, was arrested by State Park rangers on June 10 and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. He faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft under California Penal Code 487(a). Guffie was arrested in 2005 and sentenced to 120 days in jail on similar charges, according to an article in the Times Standard.

Authorities said the second suspect, who was captured by remote surveillance during the alleged thefts, has now been identified. State Parks has submitted an arrest warrant through the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office and is actively seeking that individual.

Investigators estimate the value of the stolen public resources exceeds $32,000.

In addition to the value of the stolen wood, officials emphasized the long-term ecological damage caused by the theft. According to State Parks, an approximately 50-foot section of a large old-growth redwood log was cut, and portions of it were removed.

The stolen wood was cut into approximately three-foot sections and split into shake bolts. The agency said suspects also drove off-road to reach the log, leaving deep ruts and causing extensive damage to the forest floor.

Officials noted that fallen old-growth redwood logs play a vital role in forest ecosystems, slowly decomposing over centuries while providing nutrients, moisture, and habitat for countless plants and animals. Removing portions of such logs permanently deprives the forest of those ecological benefits.

The arrest marks the latest development in an investigation that has unfolded over recent months. Earlier this year, State Parks announced that rangers had already made four arrests in separate cases involving old-growth redwood theft while continuing to investigate additional suspects connected to activity along Mattole Road.

The investigation drew widespread public attention after a local resident documented fresh tire tracks leading into protected old-growth forest near Bull Creek Flats and discovered fresh sawdust around the downed redwood.

Images captured by remote surveillance showed two people cutting sections from the downed old-growth redwood and loading the wood into what investigators described as a two-tone Dodge Ram pickup with a large dent on the rear passenger-side fender.

State Parks credited tips from the public with helping advance the investigation. According to the agency, information provided by community members led rangers to execute two search warrants related to the theft and destruction of natural resources.

State Parks also thanked the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for assisting with the investigation.

The case remains active as investigators work to locate the second suspect. As with all criminal cases, the allegations have not been proven in court, and the remaining suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Earlier: Cut It Out! Illegal Redwood Poaching Reported Near Bull Creek Flats in SoHum