Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A Detachment

• AK26002945

  Location: Soldotna

  Type: Warrant Arrest

  Dispatch Text:

  On 01/26/26 at 0755 hours, Grayden Mendenhall, 31 of Soldotna, turned himself in at Soldotna AST for an outstanding arrest warrant with original charges of Assault in the 4th Degree X2 (Domestic Violence), Assault in the presence of a child (Domestic Violence) and Coercion (Domestic Violence). Mendenhall was remanded without bail at Wildwood pretrial.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 9:31:34 AM by DPS\nrburke

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• AK26008310

  Location: Anchor Point

  Type: REDDI, MVC-D,Reckless Driving

  Dispatch Text:

  On January 27, 2026, at approximately 1941 hours, the Alaska State Troopers (AST) were patrolling the Sterling Highway near mile post 156 in Anchor Point, when AST observed a vehicle driven by Michael Bavarsky, age 80, of Homer had collided with an AST vehicle that was driving in front of Michael's vehicle. Investigation revealed Michael was following too closely to the AST vehicle. Michael was given a summons for Reckless Driving and citations for following too closely and drivers due care to avoid collision. Michael had also been reported earlier in the day as a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) Report and had been reported to have gone into the ditch two separate times prior to the collision with the AST patrol vehicle. 

  Posted on 1/27/2026 11:39:21 PM by DPS\mfischer

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• AK26007971

  Location: Anchor Point

  Type: DUI

  Dispatch Text:

  On 1/27/2026 at around 0037 hours, Alaska State Troopers in Anchor Point observed a vehicle drive into the parking lot and roll to a stop in front of the Trooper Post. The driver, Jessy Ackerman (36 years old), was fast asleep in the driver’s seat. Subsequent investigation determined Jessy was operating the vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance. Jessy was arrested and remanded at Homer Jail on 1x count DUI.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 4:01:03 AM by DPS\jalindblom

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B Detachment

• AK26006494

  Location: Palmer

  Type: Warrant Arrest

  Dispatch Text:

  On 01/26/2026 at approximately 0930 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Mikael Karl Fred Pegg, age 53, of Sutton on an outstanding arrest warrant for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Pegg was served with the warrant while in-custody at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla on unrelated charges. Bail was set at $2,500 cash performance.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 9:05:18 AM by DPS\mtshelley

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C Detachment ...No news reported.

D Detachment

• AK26007990

  Location: Fairbanks

  Type: Traffic

  Dispatch Text:

  On 01/27/2026, Troopers responded to the area of Geist Rd and Parks Hwy with reports of a motor vehicle collision, with the driver being possibly impaired. Through investigation, it was determined the driver of the vehicle, Preston Silas age 23 of Fairbanks, was operating the vehicle while impaired, and was remanded to FCC with no further incident.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 10:45:16 AM by DPS\wpmiller

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• AK26008217

  Location: Fairbanks

  Type: Burg/Theft

  Dispatch Text:

  On 1/27/26 the homeowners of a Scenic Loop Road residence reported that their home was burglarized.  Several guns were stolen along with other valuable property.  The theft occurred sometime after 1/18/26.  Anyone with information about this crime can call the Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks at (907) 451-5100. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit tips through the AKTips smartphone app or securely online at https://dps.alaska.gov/tips. You can also text the keywork AKTips to 847411 followed by your anonymous tip.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 4:18:00 PM by DPS\hlculley

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• AK26008342

  Location: Delta Junction

  Type: DUI

  Dispatch Text:

  On January 27, 2025, at approximately 2123 hours, AST in Delta Junction responded to a report of an intoxicated driver in the area of Souhrada Road. Investigation revealed that the driver, Konstantin Kostyukov, age 37 of Delta Junction, was operating his vehicle while under the influence. Kostyukov was arrested for DUI and transported to FCC, held on bail.  

  Posted on 1/27/2026 11:31:33 PM by DPS\melopezmartinez

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E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Investigation

• AK25109851

  Location: Akutan

  Type: Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

  Dispatch Text:

  On September 26, 2025, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation (ABI) Technical Crimes Unit / Task Force Dawnbreaker received three National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline reports regarding an individual believed to be downloading a large volume of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from Akutan, Alaska.

  Following an extensive investigation, ABI identified the user as Tom Bereskin, age 66, of Akutan. Investigators determined that approximately 4,217 CSAM videos were associated with the account.

  On January 26–27, 2026, Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT), with transportation assistance from the AST vessel Stimson, investigators traveled to Akutan. Upon arrival, investigators contacted Bereskin, who was arrested for 10 counts of Possession of CSAM.  A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices for forensic examination.   He is currently being transported to the Unalaska Jail and is currently being held without bail.

  The Alaska Bureau of Investigation extends its sincere appreciation to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the crew of the AST Stimpson for their critical logistical support. Their assistance was paramount to the successful execution of this investigation in a remote community.

  Posted on 1/27/2026 2:56:22 PM by SOA\nlbucknall

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

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

AK Div of Fire and Life Safety

• AK26007949

  Location: Port Graham

  Type: Fire/Explosion

  Dispatch Text:

  On January 26, 2024, at 12:27 pm, the Alaska State Fire Marshal's Office received a report of an explosion and resulting fire that had occurred Saturday January 24, 2026, at approximately 3:30 pm, in a single-family residence in the community of Port Graham. The incident resulted in the injury of an adult male that was medevac to a Hospital in Homer for further care.  A Deputy Fire Marshal from the Alaska State Fire Marshals' Office is responding to conduct an origin and cause investigation. The investigation is ongoing. 

  Posted on 1/27/2026 11:51:39 AM by DPS\tjdespain

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