---
title: "Two Forest Service Employees Held Hostage for Nearly 15 Hours in California National Forest"
url: "https://camperfaqs.com/two-forest-service-employees-held-hostage-in-california-national-forest"
author: "Tory Jon"
published: "2026-07-18T09:28:08-05:00"
modified: "2026-07-18T09:45:05-05:00"
---

# Two Forest Service Employees Held Hostage for Nearly 15 Hours in California National Forest

Two U.S. Forest Service employees were safely released early Friday after authorities say they were zip-tied and held at gunpoint inside a trailer in Northern California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

The employees were conducting routine fieldwork near Gumboot Lake on Thursday, July 16, when they were allegedly confronted and taken hostage. The remote lake is located west of Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office learned of the situation at approximately 10:55 a.m. after receiving a report from a Forest Service law enforcement officer.

Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said the employees were being held inside a privately owned trailer by a man who claimed to have firearms and ammunition and wanted to speak with the FBI.

#### Watch the LiveNOW Fox Broadcast on the Event

[Watch this video on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkjfqAhI7nI)

## Drones Helped Authorities Locate the Trailer

Deputies and the county’s special response team traveled to the rugged area around noon. Authorities used drones to locate the trailer shortly after 1 p.m.

The FBI’s Sacramento Field Office was contacted at approximately 12:20 p.m. and sent agents from Redding, crisis negotiators, a SWAT team and evidence-response personnel. The FBI also requested assistance from its national Hostage Rescue Team in Quantico, Virginia.

Negotiations with the suspect began later that afternoon.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Friday, one Forest Service employee was released from the trailer. The second employee came out approximately 15 minutes later.

Both employees survived the incident. Their names and details about their condition have not been released, though officials said they would need time to recover and process what happened.

## Father and Son Surrendered After Hostages Were Released

Authorities identified the suspects as 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his adult son, Phoenix Henrichsen.

The two men surrendered at approximately 2:30 a.m., shortly after the second employee was freed.

Officials said Joseph Henrichsen had an AR-15-style rifle and knives when he came out of the trailer. He had also claimed to possess grenades, though authorities have not publicly confirmed that explosives were recovered.

Federal prosecutors said both men are expected to face charges related to the kidnapping of federal employees. Criminal charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

## Motive Remains Under Investigation

Investigators have not determined why the employees were taken hostage or why Joseph Henrichsen reportedly demanded to speak with the FBI.

Sheriff LaRue said neither man was previously known to his department.

The response involved numerous local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and sheriff’s offices from Siskiyou and Shasta counties.

The incident lasted nearly 15 hours and ended without authorities reporting serious injuries to the employees or suspects.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the agency was grateful the employees returned home safely and would continue supporting them and their families following the ordeal.

The investigation remains active, and additional information may be released as the federal case moves forward.

## Gumboot Campground Temporarily Closed

The Forest Service has temporarily closed Gumboot Campground following the hostage incident. The closure remains in effect until further notice while authorities continue their investigation and officials assess public safety conditions in the area.

Travelers should check the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website for the latest closure information before visiting Gumboot Lake or nearby recreation sites.

**Source**: [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-us-forest-service-employees-rescued-zip-tied-held-hostage-gunpoint-rcna588112)