Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Monday, January 27, 2025
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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AK25007908
Location: Anchor PointType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
On January 23, 2025, at 5:52 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of an ATV crash with injuries on a trail near Cape Ninilchik Avenue in Anchor Point. State Troopers and EMS responded to the area. A preliminary investigation determined that an adult male and a juvenile male were riding side-by-side with a group of other family and friends when a small tree entered the wheel well of the side-by-side and impaled the juvenile male. The adult male immediately evacuated the child to awaiting first responders. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the juvenile male was declared deceased at the scene. The boy’s body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His next of kin were notified.
Posted on 1/27/2025 12:32:35 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
B Detachment
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TBD
Location: MatSu ValleyType: CollisionsDispatch Text:
On 1/27/2025, AST responded to approximately 17 motor vehicle crashes with multiple of them requiring transportation to the hospital. This does not include any that Wasilla and Palmer Police have responded to. The Alaska State Trooper's remind everyone to drive with caution when temperatures drop below freezing.
Posted on 1/27/2025 5:40:34 PM by DPS\wmbooth
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AK25008089
Location: PalmerType: MVC InjuryDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2025 at approximately 1153 hours, AST responded to a report of a MVC with a semi leaking fuel at mile 32 of the Glenn Highway. Investigation revealed a semi-truck had slid on the ice going into the ditch causing minor fuel leak. As the semi was in the ditch a pickup truck slid on the ice hitting the trailer the semi was pulling causing minor injury.
Posted on 1/27/2025 5:54:10 PM by DPS\qtnardini
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AK25008167
Location: WasillaType: Medical AssistDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2025 at approximately 1436 hours, AST was responding to a residence off Starlight Lane in Wasilla for what was reported as a gunshot wound due to suicide then changed to accidental. Investigation revealed that an adult female had negligently discharged her weapon causing a self-inflicted wound. She was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center due to her injuries which were non-life threatening.
Posted on 1/27/2025 6:00:30 PM by DPS\qtnardini
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AK25007345
Location: WasillaType: Arrest WarrantDispatch Text:
On 1/27/2025, at approximately 1430 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Shalestone Loop in Wasilla for an arrest warrant service. AST contacted Anthony Valdes, age 29 of Wasilla. Anthony was arrested for his outstanding arrest warrant for the original crimes of Indecent Viewing of a minor x15, attempted Indecent Viewing of a minor x3 and Sexual Assault 3rd degree. Anthony was transported to Matsu Pretrial where he was remanded and held on a $5,000 bail.
Posted on 1/27/2025 3:38:23 PM by DPS\hcmckenney
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AK25008093
Location: WasillaType: Hit and RunDispatch Text:
On 1/27/2025, at approximately 1200 hours, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a hit and run at the intersection of Church Road and Schrock Road in Wasilla. The victim’s vehicle was not drivable, and the suspect vehicle fled the scene on Schrock Road towards Palmer. The suspect vehicle is a possible 90’s or early 2000’s black Dodge pickup or a Toyota pickup. There will be fresh front-end damage to the vehicle. If anyone has any information on this incident. Please contact MATCOM dispatch, the Alaska State Troopers or MATSU crime stoppers.
Posted on 1/27/2025 4:04:15 PM by DPS\hcmckenney
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AK25007987
Location: GlennallenType: Search and RescueDispatch Text:
On 01/26/2025 at approximately 1712 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to the Eureka area for a report of 3 snow machine riders were lost in the deep snow without appropriate gear or a plan to self extricate. Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and VPSO's responded. At approximately 0400 hours, the 3 individuals were finally located and escorted back to their vehicle. No injuries reported. The Troopers would like the public who enjoy the outdoors to remember to bring appropriate safety gear and have a plan made in case an emergency arises.
Posted on 1/27/2025 11:34:36 AM by DPS\jbchroniger
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AK25007942
Location: Big LakeType: VCORDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2025 at approximately 2126 hours, AST was dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in Big Lake. Upon arrival, it was determined that Vickie Bell, age 29 of Big Lake, was violating conditions of release from a previous incident. Bell was placed under arrest for VCOR and transported to Mat-Su PreTrial where she was remanded.
Posted on 1/27/2025 3:11:32 AM by DPS\wjbrennan
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AK24119678
Location: Big LakeType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 01/27/25 at approximately 0230 AST received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked off Beaver Lake Road in Big Lake. The registered owner Samuel Carpenter, 40 of Chugiak, was found to have an active warrant for Theft 2 and a probation violation. Troopers contacted Samuel and he was remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial. Bail was set at $1000.
Posted on 1/27/2025 6:05:26 AM by DPS\cjkopy
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AK25007969
Location: PalmerType: DUI, Driving While RevokedDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2025, at approximately 2116 hours, AST received a report of a vehicle collision near Palmer Wasilla Highway in Palmer. Upon further investigation, AST determined that the driver, Justin Ferris, 27 YOA, was driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving on a revoked license. Justin was remanded at MSPT, where he was held without bail. Justin was Charged with Felony DUI and Driving While License is Revoked
Posted on 1/27/2025 6:29:37 AM by DPS\jlvandiest
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK25007920
Location: TokType: VCORDispatch Text:
On January 26, 2025, at approximately 1755 hours, Alaska State Troopers in Tok contacted Erickson Sanford, age 57 of Tok. Investigation resulted in the arrest of Sanford for Violating Conditions of Release. Sanford was remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center and held on $250 bail.
Posted on 1/27/2025 3:03:12 PM by DPS\jnburnham
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AK25008137
Location: North PoleType: Assault DV, Interfere w/ Report of DVDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2025 at 1142 hours Troopers took the call of an assault. An investigation was conducted, and ultimately Katherine Watson was arrested for Assault 4. Christopher Reynolds is having charges forwarded for Assault 4 and Interfering with Report of Domestic Violence.
Posted on 1/27/2025 4:16:51 PM by DPS\hrchurness
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Investigation
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AK25000120
Location: KodiakType: Misconduct Involving a Controlled SubstanceDispatch Text:
On 12/31/24, the Alaska State Troopers Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit in Kodiak with the assistance of Anchorage Police Department Vice Unit and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, conducted a joint investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in Kodiak. Investigation revealed that 58 yoa Mark T. Benton, and 34 yoa Matthew Reid both of Kodiak, trafficked methamphetamine to Kodiak. During the investigation, a traffic stop was initiated of the vehicle in which M. Benton and M. Reid were traveling in. M. Benton fled on foot and attempted to elude State Troopers by swimming across Boy Scout Lake near the pull-out off of Rezanof Drive in Kodiak. M. Benton was taken into custody on the opposite side of the lake. He was treated for Hypothermia at Kodiak Island Providence Medical Center and later released. A subsequent search warrant revealed 280 grams of crystal methamphetamine packaged for internal body carry. M. Benton and M. Reid were remanded to Kodiak Jail for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance and Violating Conditions of Release.
Posted on 1/27/2025 8:41:59 AM by DPS\gjfrost
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AK25007158
Location: KasilofType: Officer Involved ShootingDispatch Text:
UPDATE 1/27: Three law enforcement officers assigned to the Alaska State Troopers Southern SWAT Team discharged their firearms during the SWAT operation. They are identified as:
- Alaska State Trooper Sergeant Ethan Norwood, a 12-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers
- Alaska State Trooper Jonathan Lindblom, a 2-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers
- Homer Police Officer Charles Lee, a 4-year veteran of the Homer Police Department
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate the incident. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.
UPDATE 1/24 3:45 pm: The deceased adult male's next of kin have been notified; he is identified as 32-year-old Kasilof resident Mason Toloff.
ORIGINAL: On January 23, 2025, around 10:05 pm, the Alaska State Troopers received a 911 call about a man yelling and discharging a firearm near Crooked Creek Road in Kasilof. Patrol troopers responded and located the man, who then threatened to shoot the Troopers. The Alaska State Troopers Southern SWAT Team was activated and responded to the scene. After the SWAT team arrived, they took command of the situation and began negotiation efforts with the adult male suspect. A short time later, they deployed a drone outside of the residence, which the suspect shot at multiple times. After shooting at the drone, the adult man shot at an Alaska State Trooper in uniform, striking the Trooper in the leg. The Trooper was taken to a Kenai Peninsula hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At approximately 2:19 am, the man again pointed his shotgun at law enforcement officers, and multiple SWAT officers shot at the man. He was declared deceased at the scene. His body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, and next of kin notifications are underway. Once the next of kin has been notified, his name will be released. No other persons were injured during the incident.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has assumed case responsibility and will conduct a thorough criminal investigation into the law enforcement officers use of lethal force. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions. The law enforcement officers who discharged their firearms have been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with Alaska Department of Public Safety policy. The names of the officers who discharged their firearms will be released in 72 hours.
Posted on 1/24/2025 8:40:40 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel . Edited on 1/27/2025 12:31:32 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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