Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Wednesday, January 28, 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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AK26008103
Location: SoldotnaType: Domestic Violence Assault 4th, Assault in the Presence of a ChildDispatch Text:
On 1/27/2026, AST received a report of harm alleging assault of a child. Investigation determined Josie Keen (42) assaulted a juvenile member of her household while two other children were present. Josie was remanded at Wildwood pre-trial and charged with one count of Assault in the 4th Degree and two counts of assault in the presence of a child.
Posted on 1/28/2026 12:08:42 PM by DPS\lwritter
B Detachment
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AK26008345
Location: Big LakeType: AssaultDispatch Text:
On 01/27/2026 at approximately 2234 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in Big Lake reference a domestic disturbance. Investigation revealed James Segerson age 49 of Big Lake caused two household members to be in fear of injury. James was arrested for two counts of DV Assault 4 and remanded at MSPT with no bail.Posted on 1/28/2026 4:24:34 AM by DPS\bmkadow
C Detachment
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AK25119351
Location: Toksook BayType: Kidnapping & Assault InvestigationDispatch Text:
On November 30, 2025, the Alaska State Troopers in Bethel received a report that a Tribal Police Officer had been kidnapped and assaulted by 44-year-old Toksook Bay resident Adrian Kailukiak. The TPO had escaped with the assistance of another TPO. An Alaska State Trooper SWAT Team was immediately deployed to Toksook Bay to arrest Kailukiak. Kailukiak fled the community on a snowmachine before Troopers arrived. Over several weeks, additional attempts were made by patrol Troopers and the SWAT team to arrest Kailukiak; however, he was able to evade arrest by fleeing the community each time and refused to peacefully surrender to either TPOs or Troopers. On January 27, 2026, Troopers executed a pre-planned operation during a clear weather window in the YK region. Troopers from the AST South Central SWAT Team and AST Bethel region patrol arrived in Toksook Bay and arrested Kailukiak. He was remanded to Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center on several felony charges of assault, kidnapping, and misconduct involving a weapon. The Alaska State Troopers would like to thank the many Toksook Bay residents who assisted by providing information on Kailukiak's location.
Posted on 1/28/2026 8:08:09 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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AK26008074
Location: StebbinsType: StabbingDispatch Text:
On Jan. 27, 2026, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a stabbing in Stebbins. Troopers responded to the scene and found a 17-year-old female with serious injuries. She was medevacked to Anchorage for treatment. During the investigation, troopers contacted 18-year-old Destini Washington and 34-year-old Charles Merculief, who were taken into custody on unrelated warrants. The investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.
Posted on 1/28/2026 8:43:32 AM by DPS\tewilliams
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AK26007932
Location: KotzebueType: SARDispatch Text:
On January 26, 2025, at 7:45 pm, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a search and rescue in the Kotzebue area. It was reported that Clifford Melton, age 61, of Kotzebue, had left Kotzebue on a snowmachine earlier that day, heading to Buckland, and hadn't been heard from since. Ground crews from Buckland and Kotzebue searched the trail. On January 27, 2026, troopers were able to land an AWT aircraft on skis near an abandoned cabin approximately 35 miles south of Kotzebue and located Melton in the cabin, extremely hypothermic. Ground crews arrived and helped load him on the plane, where he was transported to Kotzebue and then medevac'd to an Anchorage area hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries. Next of kin have been notified.
Posted on 1/28/2026 12:15:37 PM by DPS\jsdougherty
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