Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Tuesday, October 14, 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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AK25090785
Location: Thorne BayType: SAM 2Dispatch Text:
On 9/6/2025, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a 15-year-old female being sexually abused by her adoptive father in South Thorne Bay. During the investigation, a possible second victim was identified as the 14-year-old sister. On 10/14/2025, the suspect, identified as Joshua Reid, age 50 of Thorne Bay met with Ketchikan Troopers and admitted to his acts. Joshua was arrested for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree x2 and transported to Ketchikan Correctional Center where he is held with no bail.
Posted on 10/14/2025 4:54:51 PM by DPS\jaedenshaw
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AK25104158
Location: SewardType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 10/13/2025 at approximately 1948 hours, AST received a REDDI report on a vehicle traveling northbound on the Sterling Hwy heading towards the Seward Hwy. AST conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and investigation revealed that the driver identified as Todd Towell, 61 YOA of Soldotna, was operating his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Todd was arrested and remanded to Spring Creek Correctional Center, where he was held on $500 bail due to a previous DUI conviction.
Posted on 10/14/2025 1:15:50 AM by DPS\rlmau
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AK25010416
Location: Anchor PointType: DUI, DWLRDispatch Text:
On 10/13/25 at 2031 hours, Troopers stopped a vehicle at mile 148 of the Sterling Highway for speeding. An investigation showed Timofei Chernishoff, 51 of Voznesenka, was driving under the influence of alcohol and with a revoked license. Chernishoff was arrested and charged with DUI and DWLR.
Posted on 10/14/2025 11:09:55 AM by DPS\djcox
B Detachment
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AK25104052
Location: PalmerType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 10/14/2025 at approximately 1330 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Devon Lillard, age 34, of Wasilla for an outstanding arrest warrant for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree. Lillard was served with the warrant while in-custody at Highland Mountain Correctional Center on unrelated charges. Bail was set at $250 Cash Performance and court approved conditions of release.
Posted on 10/14/2025 2:38:37 PM by DPS\mtshelley
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AK25104218
Location: WillowType: Criminal Mischief 4 DVDispatch Text:
On 10/14/25, at approximately 0252 hours, AST responded to a residence in Willow for a report of a disturbance. Investigation revealed that Tasha Vickers age 39, had broken her boyfriend's vehicle window with an estimated value of $500 and had driven away. A warrant was requested for Tasha for the charge of Criminal Mischief 4 DV.
Posted on 10/14/2025 6:37:40 AM by DPS\lefarrelly
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AK25080052
Location: PalmerType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 10/14/2025 at approximately 0845 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Ryan Seay, age 37, of Wasilla on an outstanding arrest warrant for Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree. Seay was remanded Matsu Pretrial with his Bail was set at $250 Cash Performance.
Posted on 10/14/2025 10:21:34 AM by DPS\mtshelley
C Detachment
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AK25103717
Location: Western AlaskaType: SARDispatch Text:
UPDATE 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025:
The two people who remain missing from Kwigillingok are:
· Vernon Pavil, 71
· Chester Kashatok, 41
Anyone who knows of any additional people who are unaccounted for is urged to contact the State Emergency Operations Center at 907-428-7100 or Alaska State Troopers at 907-451-5100.
UPDATE 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025:
After a robust and extensive search utilizing drones, boats and aircraft, a joint decision was made with the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard to end active search and rescue efforts at this time. Troopers launched an additional helicopter to the region from Fairbanks in support of ongoing response efforts and to assist with community needs. Additional resources may be deployed as needed.
Alaska State Troopers have notified next of kin that 67-year-old Ella Mae Kashatok was located deceased. Her body will be transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.
Two people remain unaccounted for in Kwigillingok.
Anyone who knows of any additional people who are unaccounted for is urged to contact the State Emergency Operations Center at 907-428-7100 or Alaska State Troopers at 907-451-5100.
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 10/14/2025 5:21:16 PM by DPS\tewilliams
D Detachment
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AK25104170
Location: North PoleType: MVC-FDispatch Text:
On 10/13/2025 at approximately 1951 hours, AST received a report of a head-on collision on the Old Richardson Highway in the area of Sky Ranch Street in North Pole. Timothy Valentine*, age 37 of North Pole, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo eastbound on the Old Richardson Highway when he lost control and crossed the center line, striking a 2004 F250, head-on. Timothy had to be extricated by EMS. He was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the F250 was uninjured. An investigation is still ongoing.
*This release has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Timothy's last name.
Posted on 10/14/2025 1:15:52 AM by DPS\bkhaley
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AK25103438
Location: North PoleType: DisturbanceDispatch Text:
On October 11, 2025, at approximately 0249 hours, Trooper responded to a report of a disturbance in the North Pole area. Investigation led to the arrest of David Mochin (28) for Disorderly Conduct. David was remanded to FCC.
Posted on 10/14/2025 4:02:46 AM by DPS\ammartin
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AK25103690
Location: FairbanksType: DUIDispatch Text:
On October 12, 2025, at approximately 0235 hours, Troopers responded to a REDDI report of a motor vehicle driving on the Mitchelle Expy. The driving behavior described was indicating the driver was possibly under the influence. Troopers stopped out with that vehicle and investigation led to the arrest of Billy Harmon (49) for driving under the influence of alcohol. Billy was remanded to FCC.
Posted on 10/14/2025 4:07:46 AM by DPS\ammartin
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Investigation
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AK21130654
Location: SuttonType: Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDispatch Text:
In October 2025, Task Force Dawnbreaker initiated an investigation into an Alaska man suspected of soliciting another individual for sexually explicit images and sexual contact involving the individual’s 11-year-old daughter.
The suspect was identified as Joseph Baxter, age 43, of Sutton, Alaska. On October 14, 2025, members of Task Force Dawnbreaker—comprised of investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation Technical Crimes Unit (ABI TCU), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—contacted and arrested Baxter without incident.
Baxter was charged with two counts of Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material and two counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. He was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held without bail.
This case remains under investigation.
Posted on 10/14/2025 4:03:27 PM by SOA\nlbucknall
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