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 ...No news reported.

B Detachment

  • AK26000032

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: 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

  • AK26000034

    Location: Palmer
    Type: DUI

    Dispatch 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

  • AK26000013

    Location: Big Lake
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch 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

  • AK25126474

    Location: Willow
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch 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

  • AK26000051

    Location: Delta Junction
    Type: DV Assault

    Dispatch 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

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Highway Patrol ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Judicial Services ...No news reported.

AK Div of Fire and Life Safety ...No news reported.