Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Wednesday, January 7, 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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AK25128803
Location: KetchikanType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
Update, Jan. 7, 2026: The State Medical Examiner positively identified the deceased male as 47-year-old Jeremiah Hayward and determined he died by drowning. His next of kin has been notified.
Original: On December 30, 2025 at 3:42 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a deceased adult male was located on a beach on Pennock Island. State Troopers and US Coast Guard personnel responded to the scene. The man's body is being sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and positive identification. The investigation is active and ongoing.
Posted on 12/31/2025 11:24:43 AM by DPS\tewilliams . Edited on 1/7/2026 2:34:33 PM by DPS\tewilliams
B Detachment
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AK26001917
Location: WillowType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 1/7/2026 at approximately 1635 hours, AST received a request for a Welfare Check near mile 72 of Parks Hwy. in Willow. Investigation revealed Joeseph Marotta, age 25 of Willow, and Mynah Hart, age 25 of Willow, had outstanding arrest warrants. Both were taken into custody on their warrants as follows: Marotta was remanded into MSPT for Failure to Appear x3 for Burglary 1st, Burglary 2nd, and Vehicle Theft 1st. He was held on $1500 bail. Hart was remanded into MSPT for Failure to Remand o/c DUI and Assault 4th/Failure to stop at the direction of police officer. She was held without bail/time to serve.
Posted on 1/7/2026 6:58:40 PM by DPS\fjparker
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AK26001720
Location: PalmerType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 01/07/2026 at approximately 1145 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Jeremy Humphrey, age 43, of Trapper Creek on an outstanding arrest warrant for Theft in the Second Degree-Firearm/Explosive. Humphrey was served with the warrant while in-custody at Matsu Pretrial Facility in Palmer on unrelated charges. Bail was set at $500 Cash Performance.Posted on 1/7/2026 2:54:32 PM by DPS\mtshelley
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK26001680
Location: FairbanksType: Failure to YeildDispatch Text:
On 1/7/2025 at approximately 0223 hours AST attempted a traffic stop on a Subaru Sedan in the area of Keep Lane and Farmers Loop Road. The vehicle initially failed to yield before eventually stopping approximately 3 miles down the road. An investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Fairbanks Police Department. Driver Charles Castro was detained and arrested for failure to yield. Additional charges for vehicle theft are being considered under the Fairbank Police Department case.Posted on 1/7/2026 4:30:37 AM by DPS\bkhaley
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AK26000654
Location: HealyType: Missing PersonDispatch Text:
On 01/03/2025 AST took a report of a missing person, Hari Krishna Reddy Karasani age 24 of Texas, has not contacted his family or friends after December 29th 2025. Hari was last known to leave the Aurora Denali Lodge in Healy on December 31st 2025, and did not return to Texas as expected on 01/05/2026. Hari is Asian decent approximately 5’7”, and 130 lbs. Hari has black hair and black eyes and wears glasses. He is believed to be on foot. The Alaska State Troopers are asking the public if they have any information on Hari’s whereabouts please contact AST at 907-451-5100.Posted on 1/7/2026 11:51:25 AM by DPS\nchollenbeck
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AK26000325
Location: FairbanksType: DeceasedDispatch Text:
On 01/02/2026 at approximately 10:02 hours, AST received a call of a deceased person reported to be located at the Old Nanna area. The deceased was identified as KENNETH ALLEN LESLIE. Next of kin was already notified, and the State Examiner's Office released the deceased to the family for afterlife preparations. Foul play isn't suspected to the deceased passing.
Posted on 1/7/2026 5:59:27 PM by DPS\kckelly
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AK26001686
Location: CantwellType: MVC-D-CMVDispatch Text:
On 01/07/2026 at 0353 hours AST received a report of a semi-truck which crashed into the Jack River Bridge at Mile 210 Parks Highway in Cantwell. Investigation determined Gene Brown, age 66 from Fairbanks who works for Sourdough Express was traveling southbound when he hit the guardrail causing disabling damage to his truck and trailer, and severe damage to the guardrail. Brown's fuel tanks were ruptured during the collision causing a release of an unknown amount of diesel fuel. Brown was subsequently issued a citation for CMV-Negligent Driving and a citation for False Logs. Additionally, multiple log violations were identified during the CMV Inspection, which placed Brown out of service. Speed and fatigue were considered contributing factors in the collision. The Parks Highway was partially closed for about 10 hours. AST was assisted in the crash response by DOT and DEC
Posted on 1/7/2026 6:14:39 PM by DPS\dwbozman
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK26001609
Location: McGrathType: DV AssaultDispatch Text:
On 01/06/2026, McGrath AWT responded to a residence following the report of a disturbance. Investigation determined Desaniel Pensgard-Dugaqua, age 19 of McGrath, recklessly caused physical injury to two household members. Pensgard-Dugaqua was subsequently arrested for two counts of Assault 4 and one count of Assault in the presence of a child. He was held without bail, pending arraignment.
Posted on 1/7/2026 8:04:50 AM by DPS\dcbrooks
AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Highway Patrol
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AK26001517
Location: Big LakeType: DUI & Reckless EndangermentDispatch Text:
On 01/06/2025 at approximately 1556 hours, the Highway Interdiction K9 Team stopped out with a vehicle in the ditch on Big Lake Road near mile 3. The driver was identified as, Laura Walls age 43 of Big Lake. AST stopped to assist the driver and during the contact it was revealed Walls was under the influence of alcohol with a JV in the vehicle. Walls was placed under arrest and remanded to MAT-SU Pretrial on the charges of Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Endangerment on a $500 bail.
Posted on 1/7/2026 2:36:06 PM by DPS\glstephens
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