Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Wednesday, February 18, 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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AK26014925
Location: Prince of WalesType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
UPDATE: Ketchikan resident Michael Stewart, 47, was identified as the man who died. His next of kin was notified.
ORIGINAL: On 02/18/2026 at 0300 hours, the Alaska State Troopers were dispatched to a local fuel station following a reported accident involving a semi truck tractor. Upon arrival, first responders found one adult male deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident was a tragic accident involving vehicle maintenance under cold weather conditions that resulted in the death of a person. There is no indication of foul play or criminal activity. The decedent is being transported to the Medical Examiner's office.
Posted on 2/18/2026 10:08:41 AM by DPS\oamodestoOrdonez
B Detachment
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AK26014974
Location: WasillaType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 02/18/2026 at 1000 hours, Alaska State Troopers received an anonymous tip regarding a warrant in Wasilla. Investigation revealed, Vera McCoy had an active warrant for her arrest for probation violation. Vera was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial.
Posted on 2/18/2026 2:13:31 PM by DPS\mdbarela
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AK26014888
Location: WasillaType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 02/17/2026 at approximately 2144 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to the area of Hollywood Road and Johnsons Road reference a vehicle in the ditch. Upon arrival, Troopers noticed signs of impairment with the driver, Michelle Nicholas age 46 of Wasilla. Michelle resisted arrest for DUI and kicked at Troopers in the process. Michelle was remanded at MSPT for DUI, Resist Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, and Assault 4 and held on $500 bail.Posted on 2/18/2026 5:46:34 AM by DPS\bmkadow
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AK26014801
Location: PalmerType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 02/18/2026 at approximately 0800 hours, Court Services Officers assigned to Palmer Judicial Services arrested Teagan Fowler, age 21, of Wasilla for an outstanding arrest warrant for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree. Fowler was served with the warrant while in-custody at Highland Mountain Correctional Center on unrelated charges. Bail was set at $250 cash appearance.Posted on 2/18/2026 8:57:40 AM by DPS\mtshelley
C Detachment
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AK26012783
Location: ChevakType: Assault InvestigationDispatch Text:
UPDATE, Feb. 18, 2026: Andrew Tall turned himself in to law enforcement early on Feb. 18, 2026. He was remanded on charges of kidnapping, one count of first-degree assault, four charges of third-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree assault.
ORIGINAL: Alaska State Troopers are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of 23-year-old Andrew Tall to call 911. Tall is a suspect in an ongoing Chevak assault investigation. DO NOT APPROACH TALL IF YOU SEE HIM. HE IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. If you have information and would like to be anonymous, submit tips in the AKTips smartphone app or online at dps.alaska.gov/tips.
Posted on 2/13/2026 4:42:27 PM by DPS\tewilliams . Edited on 2/18/2026 10:37:04 AM by DPS\tewilliams
D Detachment
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AK26014864
Location: FairbanksType: DV AssaultDispatch Text:
On 2/17/2026, Troopers responded to a suspicious circumstances in the area of Bonanza Trail for a call regarding brothers fighting over a lightbulb. Once Troopers arrived on scene and interviewed the individuals involved, investigation revealed Travis Pitka committed the crime of Assault in the 4th Degree. Travis Pitka was arrested and remand to FCC.
Posted on 2/18/2026 1:35:25 AM by DPS\bamitten
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AK26015117
Location: North PoleType: DV Assault 2Dispatch Text:
On 2/18/26 at approximately 1300 hours, Dalton Benefield age 25 of North Pole, was arrested after the Fairbanks Alaska State Troopers responded and investigated a domestic violence assault at his residence. The victim received medical treatment on scene.
Posted on 2/18/2026 3:34:34 PM by DPS\hlculley
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AK26015137
Location: Mile 186 Parks HwyType: MVC-IDispatch Text:
ON 02/18/2026 at 1339 hours the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a 2 vehicle MVC at Mile 186 Parks Highway. The snow-covered and not plowed roads were determined to be a contributing factor. One adult male and a juvenile male were transported to the hospital by Sunshine Ambulance. The occupants of the other vehicle, an adult female and a juvenile female were treated by EMS on scene. At this time there were no citations issued.
Posted on 2/18/2026 10:44:10 PM by DPS\dwbozman
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AK26015248
Location: CantwellType: MVC-D involving CMVsDispatch Text:
On 02/18/2026 at 1654 hours the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a MVC involving two commercial vehicles near Mile 214 Parks Highway. Investigation determined Richard Jijon, age 65 from Anchorage who drives for Two Brothers Freight caused a collision with a truck being driven by Troy Browning, age 66 from Anchorage for Bill's Disturbing INC. Both drivers received citations for their contributing actions to the collision. One semi-truck received disabling damage, and one trailer received disabling damage. There were no injuries to either party.
Posted on 2/18/2026 11:15:12 PM by DPS\dwbozman
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK26014968
Location: Birch LakeType: Wildlife ViolationDispatch Text:
On 02/14/2026, Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Taggart Burkhart (age 20 of Fairbanks) and Julia Sellars (age 21 of Fairbanks) ice fishing on Birch Lake. Neither Burkhart or Sellars had 2026 sport fishing licenses. Both were issued citations for sport fishing without a license.Posted on 2/18/2026 10:04:58 AM by DPS\bdlemay
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