Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Friday, December 13, 2024

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

A Detachment

  • AK23084672

    Location: Nikiski
    Type: Manslaughter Investigation

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 11, 2023, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of the death of an adult male at a residence in Nikiski. Troopers responded and located 62-year-old Nikiski resident Michael Rodgers deceased in his residence. Evidence at the scene suggested that the death may have been a result of an overdose. His body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, which determined that he died as a result of a methamphetamine overdose. Troopers launched a thorough investigation into the death and the source of the narcotics that killed Rodgers. After extensive investigation, including digital and forensic evidence analysis, Troopers determined the source of the narcotics that killed Rodgers. On December 12, 2024, Troopers arrested 59-year-old Nikiski resident Lawana Barker, and she was remanded to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on two charges of Domestic Violence Manslaughter, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Fourth Degree, and Fifth Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Theft in the Third Degree.  

    Posted on 12/13/2024 10:06:02 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

  • AK24125402

    Location: Seward
    Type: MICS 5, MIW 5, No Insurance

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/12/2024 at about 2356 hours, Seward PD notified Seward AST of a vehicle in a ditch on Nash Road in Seward. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Brandon Hargreaves, 31 YOA of Seward. Seward AST recognized behavior and statements made by Brandon as those consistent with persons engaged in criminal activity. The investigation revealed that Brandon was in possession of methamphetamine, suboxone, and a concealed handgun that he failed to notify law enforcement of. Additionally, Brandon informed Seward AST that the vehicle he was driving was not insured. Brandon was placed under arrest for 2 counts of misconduct involving controlled substances (MICS) in the 5th degree, 1 count of misconduct involving weapons (MIW) in the 5th degree, and 1 count of operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Brandon was transported to Spring Creek Correctional Center where he was remanded on the aforementioned charges and later released on his own recognizance.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 10:08:31 AM by DPS\jlyavorsky

B Detachment

  • AK24125518

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Warrant, False info, Theft

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/13/2024 at approximately 1059 hours AST responded to Spinnaker Drive to attempt to contact William Coulombe to serve an active arrest warrant (3AN-22-02274CR Fail to comply with conditions of release o/c DUI, Reckless endangerment, Assault in the fourth degree, and three counts of violating conditions of release). Following the contact Coulombe was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for the arrest warrant, Providing false information to a law enforcement officer, Violation of conditions of release, and three counts of Theft in the second degree.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 4:10:04 PM by DPS\jrvenable

  • AK24125409

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: DUI

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/13/24 at approximately 0125 hours, the Alaska State Troopers contacted 21-year-old Zane Dickey operating a vehicle near S Seward Meridian Parkway in Wasilla. Investigation revealed Dickey was operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. AST arrested Dickey and transported him to Mat-Su Pre-Trial where he was remanded.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 4:45:17 AM by DPS\wjbrennan

  • AK24061369

    Location: Palmer
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/13/2024 at approximately 1420 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Erin Kennedy, age 47, of Wasilla on an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Remand on the original charge of driving while license canceled/revoked/suspended. Kennedy was remanded at Matsu Pretrial without bail.    

    Posted on 12/13/2024 2:48:29 PM by DPS\mtshelley

C Detachment

  • AK24124043

    Location: Nunapitchuk
    Type: Theft

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/09/2024 at approximately 12:16 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Theft at a residence in Nunapitchuk. There are no witnesses. Closed by investigation.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:27:19 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124256

    Location: Hooper Bay
    Type: Assault - DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/09/2024 at approximately 20:00 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an Assault- DV. Investigation resulted in the arrest of 44 YOA Wilson Rivers of Hooper Bay for Assault.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:28:41 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124363

    Location: YK Delta
    Type: Sex Offense

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 09:40 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Sex Offense. The investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:30:03 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124371

    Location: YK Delta
    Type: Suspicious Circumstances

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 10:01 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of Suspicious Circumstances. The investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:31:02 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124543

    Location: YK Delta
    Type: Suspicious Circumstances

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 15:21 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of Suspicious Circumstances. The investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:32:01 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124611

    Location: YK Delta
    Type: Sexual Assault

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 15:40 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Sexual Assault. Investigation resulted in the arrest of 29 YOA Christopher Gregory of Emmonak for Sexual Assault 2, Assault 3, Assault 4 and violating a DVPO.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:33:08 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124630

    Location: Napaskiak
    Type: Assault - DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 18:15 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an Assault- DV. Investigative results have been referred to the DA's office for review and charging determination.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:35:20 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24124671

    Location: Crooked Creek
    Type: Assault - DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/10/2024 at approximately 21:51 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an Assault- DV. The investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:36:09 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24125259

    Location: Dillingham
    Type: Liquor Laws

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/12/2024 at approximately 14:40 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Liquor Law Violation. Alcohol was seized at the airport during a consent search.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:37:00 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

  • AK24125335

    Location: Oscarville
    Type: Assault - Non DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/12/2024 at approximately 16:53 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an Assault- Non DV. Investigative results have been referred to the DA's office for review and charging determination.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 3:37:57 PM by DPS\tjsmith3

D Detachment

  • AK24125540

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: DUI

    Dispatch Text:

    On December 13, 2024, at approximately 1043 hours, Fairbanks AST responded to the intersection of Geist Road and University Ave for a report of an abandoned vehicle in the roadway. Troopers contacted a male driver in the vehicle and the investigation revealed probable cause to arrest Josue Vazquez Figueroa for DUI.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 2:48:31 PM by DPS\jdchipps

  • AK24125411

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Death Investigation

    Dispatch Text:

    On 12/13/2024 the Alaska State Troopers responded to a call for a welfare check, upon arrival Troopers found Preston Nageak 32, deceased the State Medical Examiner's office was notified. The investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 6:13:06 AM by DPS\japoole

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Investigation

  • AK24105963

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Possession of Child Pornography

    Dispatch Text:

    Update: In March 2025, additional charges were filed against Chavis, which a grand jury indicted, to include Violation of Conditions of Release, Attempted Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, and Enticement of a Minor. 

    On March 17, 2025, trial began on this case.  On March 21, 2025, the Fairbanks jury came to a verdict of guilty on four counts of Possession of Child Pornography, two counts of Violation of Conditions of Release, two counts of Attempted Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, and one count of Enticement of a Minor.

     

    In December 2024, Alaska State Troopers Technical Crimes Unit (TCU) received a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cybertip reporting that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files had been uploaded to the internet. Investigation by TCU and the ABI Fairbanks Major Crimes Unit revealed that Gage Chavis, age 19 of Colorado, was the user of the account and is an active military member stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks. On December 12, 2024, Chavis was contacted by Task Force members and US Army CID agents on base. A search warrant was executed, and multiple devices were seized for forensic analysis. Chavis was arrested without incident on two counts of Possession of Child Pornography with more charges expected. Chavis was remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center on no bail.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 1:57:55 PM by DPS\tjdespain

  • AK24064590

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Possession of Child Pornography

    Dispatch Text:

    In December 2024, Alaska State Troopers Technical Crimes Unit (TCU) received a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cybertip reporting that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files had been uploaded to the internet. Investigation by TCU and the ABI Fairbanks Major Crimes Unit revealed that Brian Winsor, age 51 of North Pole, was the user of the account and is a civilian military contractor stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks. On December 11, 2024, Winsor was contacted by Task Force members and US Army CID agents on base. A search warrant was executed on his residence and multiple devices were seized for forensic analysis. Winsor was arrested without incident on one count of Possession of Child Pornography with more charges expected. Winsor was remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center on no bail.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 2:08:01 PM by DPS\tjdespain

  • AK24124448

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: MICS 3

    Dispatch Text:

    On December 10, 2024, Fairbanks Areawide Narcotics Team (FANT) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) were working proactive interdiction at the US post Office in the Fairbanks area. Investigators identified a suspicious parcel arriving in Fairbanks that was seized pending a warrant service. During the execution of the search warrant a total of 89.7 grams of cocaine ($9,000 street value in Fairbanks) was located. Investigation revealed the parcel was being shipped to Adrian Hatcher, age 35 of Fairbanks. A controlled delivery was conducted and ultimately Adrian and Yolanda Miranda, 32 years old of Fairbanks, were found to be working together. A search of the residence revealed drug paraphernalia, two guns, and other evidence of drug distribution. Both Adrian and Miranda were arrested and remanded at FCC for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. 

    The Fairbanks Areawide Narcotics Team Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit is made up of members from the Alaska State Troopers, Drug Enforcement Administration, Fairbanks Police Department, Fairbanks Airport PD, North Pole Police Department, North Slope Borough PD, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

    Posted on 12/13/2024 5:20:41 PM by DPS\tjdespain

  • AK24120363

    Location: Anchorage
    Type: Forgery

    Dispatch Text:

    On 11/27/2024, the AST Financial Crimes Unit was contacted and requested to verify the validity of a document used by 37 year old Anchorage resident Nicholas Choi to excuse himself from court appearances related to a previous court case: 3AN-23-07051CR. Choi, a former State of Alaska employee, was convicted in that case of Theft 2nd on 08/02/2024.

    Investigation revealed the document Choi submitted to the Court to avoid his most recent appearance was forged.

    On 12/06/2024, an Anchorage Grand Jury indicted Choi on one count of felony Forgery 2nd. The Court issued a warrant for Choi’s arrest under case number 3AN-24-07269CR. Choi was arrested on 12/11/2024 and taken to the Anchorage Jail. He was released on bond on 12/12/2024. 

    Posted on 12/13/2024 5:21:38 PM by DPS\jmkurth

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

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

AK Div of Fire and Life Safety ...No news reported.