Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Monday, October 13, 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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AK25103806
Location: Anchor PointType: DUI, VCORDispatch Text:
On 10/12/25 at 1447 hours, Anchor Point AST responded to the Homer area to assist HPD locate an intoxicated driver that had been called in as a REDDI. AST located the vehicle turning onto the Sterling Highway from Greatland St. and conducted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mathew S. Botello, 33 YOA of Homer. Further investigation revealed that Botello was driving under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances. Botello is on conditions of release for 3KO-25-00158CR, original charge DUI, and those conditions state that he is not to consume any alcohol and obey all laws. Botello was arrested and transported to Homer Police department where he was remanded for DUI and VCOR.
Posted on 10/13/2025 3:18:54 PM by DPS\ajflowers
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AK25103305
Location: NinilchikType: DWLRDispatch Text:
On October 10th, 2025 at approximately 1950 hours, the Alaska State Troopers (AST) observed a white Ford truck pull into the Ninilchik Tesoro gas station with expired registration. AST conducted a traffic stop. Subsequent investigation led to the driver, James Taylor, age 60 of Ninilchik, being issued a summons for one count of Driving While License was Revoked (DWLR). James was also issued a citation for No Proof of Insurance, and Operating a Vehicle with Expired Registration.
Posted on 10/13/2025 8:59:43 PM by DPS\jshilario
B Detachment
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AK25098363
Location: WasillaType: Warrant Arrest x 2Dispatch Text:
On 10/12/25 at approximately 1800 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a black Pontiac sedan for a moving violation on the Parks Highway in Wasilla. An investigation revealed that two occupants, Michael Dugan, age 48, and Heather Kovich, age 41, had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Dugan and Kovich were arrested for their warrants and transported to MSPT for remand.
Posted on 10/13/2025 6:47:29 AM by DPS\makessler
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AK25103831
Location: GlennallenType: MICSDispatch Text:
On 10/12/2025 at 1733 hours a Trooper conducted a traffic stop near Glennallen. Additional observations and investigation led to a search of the vehicle. Ultimately, suspected methamphetamine along with cocaine paraphernalia was seized. This case is active.
Posted on 10/13/2025 11:52:59 AM by DPS\hrchurness
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AK25103846
Location: GlennallenType: MVC- DamageDispatch Text:
On 10/12/2025 at 1909 hours a Trooper responded to a single vehicle MVC with a moose near Eureka Lodge. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and there were no injuries.
Posted on 10/13/2025 11:57:35 AM by DPS\hrchurness
C Detachment
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AK25103717
Location: Western AlaskaType: SARDispatch Text:
UPDATE 5:50 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025:
Alaska State Troopers responded to Kipnuk and confirmed there are no missing people.
One adult female was located deceased in Kwigillngok. Troopers responded to recover her remains and are working to notify next of kin. Her name will be released once next of kin has been notified. Two people remain unaccounted for in the community. The Alaska State Troopers are coordinating search and rescue efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard. Crews searched on Monday by boat and air.
Alaska State Troopers launched Helo-2 from Fairbanks to Western Alaska to assist with additional needs. The helicopter will also deliver generators and additional fuel to the communities.
Additional Regional Public Safety Officers and Village Public Safety Officers are traveling to Bethel and will deploy to impacted communities to assist as needed.
UPDATE, 11 a.m. Oct. 13, 2025:
Search and rescue efforts continued overnight and at least 51 people and two dogs have been rescued from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok following the powerful storm system that impacted multiple coastal communities in Western Alaska over the weekend.
Three people remain unaccounted for in Kwigillingok. Troopers have received secondhand reports of people who were unaccounted for in Kipnuk and are continuing efforts to confirm and verify how many people are missing.
Aerial search assets were deployed at first light on Monday, Oct. 13. The Alaska State Troopers are continuing to coordinate search and rescue efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard.
Anyone who needs non-emergency assistance can contact the State Emergency Operations Center at 907-428-7100.
UPDATE, 6:50 p.m. Oct. 12, 2025:
Search and rescue crews responded this afternoon to Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to search for missing people and rescue those displaced by the powerful storm system that impacted multiple coastal communities in Western Alaska. At least 18 people were rescued in Kwigillingok and at least 16 people were rescued in Kipnuk.
Three people remain unaccounted for in Kwigillingok. Troopers have received secondhand reports of people who are unaccounted for in Kipnuk and are continuing to work with local officials to verify and confirm how many people are missing.
Search efforts will be continuing overnight as conditions allow. Anyone in need of immediate rescue should contact the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at 907-551-7230.
The search and rescue effort was coordinated by the Alaska State Troopers, with assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard. This is an active and ongoing search and rescue effort. Additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Original:
The Alaska State Troopers are coordinating and assisting with multi-agency search and rescue operations today following a powerful storm that impacted multiple Western Alaska coastal communities over the last 24 hours. The Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard have launched rescue aircraft to Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to locate and rescue missing or displaced people. Both communities experienced strong winds and heavy flooding overnight, which caused significant damage, including at least eight homes being pushed from their foundations.
Anyone in need of immediate rescue should contact the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at 907-551-7230.
This is an active and ongoing search and rescue mission. Additional details will be provided when more information is available.
Posted on 10/12/2025 2:15:08 PM by SOA\tewilliams . Edited on 10/13/2025 11:02:53 AM by DPS\tewilliams
D Detachment
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AK25104015
Location: FairbanksType: Driving Under the InfluenceDispatch Text:
On 10/13/2025, at approximately 10:37 AM, Alaska State Troopers responded to a single Motor Vehicle Collision in the area of College Road. Troopers arrived on scene and initiated an investigation. Investigation revealed the operator of the vehicle to be driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or intoxicating liquor. The investigation is still ongoing.
Posted on 10/13/2025 4:10:11 PM by DPS\nggandy
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AK25104008
Location: FairbanksType: DUI and Refusal to Submit to Chemical TestingDispatch Text:
On October 13, 2025, at approximately 12:16 p.m., the Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a white Dodge pickup traveling 99 mph in a 55 mph zone on Chena Hot Springs Road near Bennett Road. The driver, identified as Tony Gesin, exhibited signs of impairment and refused to comply with field sobriety and chemical testing after being contacted at the Chena Hot Springs gas station. Mr. Gesin was arrested and remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center for Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test.
Posted on 10/13/2025 6:08:41 PM by DPS\jaevans1
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AK25104040
Location: FairbanksType: DWIDispatch Text:
On October 13, 2025, at approximately 1335 hours, AST responded to a REDDI report where there was a truck driving erratically on College Road. The suspect vehicle was located. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Posted on 10/13/2025 6:41:03 PM by DPS\cjmorlang
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK25020258
Location: GirdwoodType: Avalanche / Search and RescueDispatch Text:
UPDATE 10/13: The State Medical Examiner's Office was able to identify the remains as those of David Linder, 39, of Florida. Next of kin has been notified.
UPDATE 10/7: On October 3, 2025, volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department traveled to the slide area aboard DPS HELO 3. The team was able to recover the remains of one adult male who had become caught in a log jam in the river flowing underneath the avalanche slide area. The adult male's remains have been sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and positive ID. The man's identity will be released publicly once his identity has been positively confirmed. Next of kin have been notified.
Additional overflight and ground operations are scheduled to continue to search for and recover the other two missing men.
UPDATE 3/7 1:30 pm: Yesterday, Troopers, avalanche experts, and a technical mountain rescue expert conducted an aerial and on-the-ground assessment of the slide area and location where the three avalanche beacons last signaled. The beacons last signal indicated they were buried between 40 feet and nearly 100 feet deep at the bottom of a steep section of terrain. Due to a high risk of additional avalanches and the challenging location where the bodies of the three men are believed to be buried – the team has reached the consensus that recovery efforts are unfortunately not possible until conditions improve that allow for the safety of rescue teams who will need to spend significant time in the area. The State Troopers and the heliski operator will continue to evaluate conditions to determine when it is safe to allow rescue teams to operate in this area, recognizing that it may take some time for conditions to improve. We know that this is not the solution that the loved ones of these men were looking for today; however, it is the safest path forward for everyone involved.
UPDATE 3/6 9:00 am: The Alaska State Troopers have identified the three missing persons who were caught in the avalanche as:
- David Linder, 39 of Florida
- Charles Eppard 39, of Montana
- Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota
Troopers, avalanche, and recovery experts will attempt to conduct an aerial assessment of the slide area today to determine additional avalanche danger and recovery options.UPDATE 3/5 4:25 pm: Due to poor weather conditions in the area that prevented helicopter flights, Troopers, avalanche experts, and recovery teams could not assess the slide area for avalanche safety considerations and recovery options today. Troopers are optimistic that weather conditions will improve on March 6th to allow for flights in the area.
ORIGINAL: On March 4, 2025, at 5:10 pm, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified of an avalanche near the West Fork of 20 Mile River near Girdwood. A preliminary investigation determined three adult heliskiers were caught in a large avalanche around 3:30 pm. Guides from the commercial heliskiing operation that the group was with immediately attempted to locate the three skiers. Using avalanche beacons, the guides identified a probable area where skiers were buried between 40 feet and nearly 100 feet deep. The guides were unable to recover the three skiers due to the depth. Due to considerable avalanche risk in this area and limited daylight, no further recovery operations were conducted on March 4th. On March 5th, Troopers plan to assess the area to determine if recovery operations can safely be conducted.
Posted on 3/5/2025 8:27:01 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel . Edited on 10/13/2025 10:15:00 AM by DPS\jsdougherty
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