Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, January 1, 2026
Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A Detachment
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AK26000135
Location: Prince Of WalesType: DUI, DWLR, VCOR x3Dispatch Text:
On 1/1/2026 at approximately 1348 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on North Boundary Road near Klawock. Investigation revealed Caleb Olsen, age 27 of Thorne Bay, was operating a vehicle while intoxicated and with a revoked driver's license. Additionally, Olsen was found to be in violation of conditions of release from a previous DUI. Olsen was arrested and remanded to Craig PD for the charges of DUI, DWLR, and three counts of VCOR.
Posted on 1/1/2026 4:56:47 PM by DPS\mpposey
B Detachment
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AK26000061
Location: Big LakeType: DV AssaultDispatch Text:
On 01/01/2026, AST Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in Big Lake. Troopers responded to the scene, and an investigation revealed that Isaac Ramirez, aged 35 of Big Lake, had assaulted multiple household members as well as another individual in the residence. Isaac was arrested for Assault 2, Assault 3, Assault 4X5, and Assault in the presence of a child X3. Isaac was transported to Mat-Su pretrial and held without bail.
Posted on 1/1/2026 1:48:51 PM by DPS\wrhuston
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AK26000032
Location: WasillaType: Assault IV (DV)Dispatch Text:
On January 1st, 2026 at approximately 0132 hours, AST responded to a report of a disturbance in Wasilla and contacted David Melland, 35, at his residence. Investigation revealed David physically hurt a household member. David was placed under arrest for DV Assault IV and two counts of unlawful contact. David was transported to Matsu-Pretrial where he is held without bail pending arraignment.
Posted on 1/1/2026 6:17:15 AM by DPS\jlmedina
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AK26000034
Location: PalmerType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 1/1/2026 at approximately 0134 hours, Palmer AST received a call of a DV incident at a residence. The suspect was identified as Scott Bailey (41YOA) of Palmer. Scott had been drinking and left the residence before Troopers arrived. Troopers contacted Scott at the 3 Bears by Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Trunk Road. Scott refused to cooperate in the investigation for the DV incident or DUI. After resisting arrest, Scott was apprehended for DUI, Refusal to submit to a chemical test, Assault 4 x2 against an officer, Criminal Mischief 5 against an officer, and Disorderly Conduct. Scott was remanded at Mat-Su Pretrial where he was held per the bail schedule.
Posted on 1/1/2026 6:18:16 AM by DPS\cnfouts
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AK25129010
Location: GlennallenType: DisturbanceDispatch Text:
On 12/31/2025 at approximately 1223 hours, Troopers took a report of a disturbance at a local business. Upon further investigation, the involved parties were trespassed from the business.Posted on 1/1/2026 8:27:47 AM by DPS\jbchroniger
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AK25129052
Location: Kenny LakeType: Public AssistDispatch Text:
On 12/31/2025 at approximately 1311 hours, Troopers took a report from a concerned citizen in the Kenny Lake area. The caller had concerns about the mental health of another individual. The caller was provided options. Nothing criminal reported.Posted on 1/1/2026 8:30:00 AM by DPS\jbchroniger
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AK26000013
Location: Big LakeType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On December 31, 2025, at approximately 8:34 PM, members of the Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU), with assistance from AST Patrol and a Wasilla Police Department (WPD) K9 team, responded to a residence in Big Lake following a tip regarding an individual with outstanding warrants.
The suspect, identified as Jeffrey Carlson, 34, of Wasilla, had two active warrants for Theft II and Burglary I, with no bail and time to serve. Carlson was located inside a small residence on the property and initially refused to comply, hiding under a bed.
After verbal commands were unsuccessful, CSU, AST, and the WPD K9 team persuaded Carlson to exit the residence through the use of less-lethal chemical agents. Carlson was taken into custody without further incident, transported, and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on his warrants.
Posted on 1/1/2026 1:26:03 AM by DPS\tmharris
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AK25126474
Location: WillowType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 01/01/2026 at approximately 0328 hours, Troopers responded to a residence in Willow and contacted the owner, identified as Jonathon Grogan, 27. Records check revealed Jonathon had a $2000 warrant for Assault 3. Jonathon was placed under arrest and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial on his warrant without incident.
Posted on 1/1/2026 6:06:33 AM by DPS\jlmedina
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK26000051
Location: Delta JunctionType: DV AssaultDispatch Text:
On January 1, 2026, at approximately 3:36 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of an assault at a residence on Bergstad Street in Delta Junction. The investigation determined that Ava Vandegrift assaulted another individual during an altercation. Vandegrift was detained at the scene and later remanded to FCC on charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree (DV).
Posted on 1/1/2026 6:11:51 AM by DPS\pptesta
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AK26000068
Location: FairbanksType: Assault 4/Criminal MischiefDispatch Text:
On January 1, 2026, at approximately 0623 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of an assault at a residence on the Parks Highway near Ester. The investigation determined that Zoe Russin assaulted another individual during an altercation and broke shared property. Russin was subsequently remanded to FCC on charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree (DV) and Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree.
Posted on 1/1/2026 11:10:59 AM by DPS\kbweeks
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AK26000040
Location: FairbanksType: DUI/MICS3 x2Dispatch Text:
On 01/01/2026 at approximately 0157 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to maintain its lane. The driver, later identified as Joshua James Miex, was determined to be driving under the influence and was subsequently arrested. Further investigation revealed that Miex was in possession of multiple illegal narcotics packaged for distribution. He was remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center on charges of DUI and two counts of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (MICS 3).
Posted on 1/1/2026 11:12:42 AM by DPS\kbweeks
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Investigation
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AK25129206
Location: FairbanksType: Disturbance / Officer Involved ShootingDispatch Text:
UPDATE 1/4/2026: The Alaska State Troopers who discharged their firearms during the officer-involved shooting on January 1, 2026, are identified as:
Trooper Recruit/Lateral John Faul, with five and a half months of service as an Alaska State Trooper and three years prior law enforcement service.
Trooper Recruit Wyatt Miller, with five and a half months of service as an Alaska State Trooper.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing their thorough investigation into the incident. Once their investigation is complete it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.On January 1, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified that 24-year-old Fairbanks resident William Rexford was actively destroying property at a family residence in Fairbanks. Troopers responded to the residence and made contact with Rexford and other family members. While Troopers and family members were speaking with Rexford, Troopers determined that he was experiencing mental health issues and was making suicidal statements. As Troopers were discussing options with Rexford without warning he ran into the kitchen of the residence and armed himself with a knife. Rexford then charged at a Trooper while brandishing the knife. Multiple Troopers discharged their firearms, striking Rexford. A second adult male inside the residence was also struck by gunfire. Troopers immediately rendered first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Rexford was pronounced deceased at the scene. The injured adult male was transported to a Fairbanks-area hospital with serious injuries. Rexford’s body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His next of kin have been notified.
The Troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on seven days of administrative leave, in accordance with Department of Public Safety policy. Their names will be released in 72 hours.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has responded and initiated an investigation into the shooting. Upon completion, the investigation will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.
Posted on 1/1/2026 4:16:17 PM by SOA\tjdespain
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