Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, March 12, 2026
Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A Detachment ...No news reported.
B Detachment
-
AK26021583
Location: WasillaType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
On March 11, 2026, at 8:14 am, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a deceased person in Wasilla. Troopers and EMS responded and located an unresponsive male inside a residence. The male was identified as Cameron Newland, age 31, of Wasilla, and was pronounced deceased at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by EMS. Evidence consistent with drug use was located in the room where Newland was found. The Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit and the State Medical Examiner were notified, and the investigation is ongoing. Next of kin have been notified.
Posted on 3/12/2026 9:32:05 AM by DPS\jsdougherty
-
AK26021887
Location: WasillaType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 03/11/2026 at approximately 1857 hours, Alaska State Troopers contacted a REDDI vehicle as it returned to a residence. Following the investigation, Aaron Belka was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Posted on 3/12/2026 5:18:32 AM by DPS\jrvenable
-
AK25048098
Location: Meadow LakesType: Bench WarrantDispatch Text:
On 03/12/2026 at approximately 1540 hours, the Mat-Su Valley Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) conducted a traffic stop on a residential street in Meadow Lakes. The driver was identified as Otis Mielke, 48 of Wasilla. The investigation revealed that Mielke had an outstanding bench warrant for the original charge of driving with license revoked. Mielke was placed under arrest for his warrant and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on $100 dollars bail.
Posted on 3/12/2026 6:16:52 PM by DPS\jlyavorsky
-
AK26022049
Location: WasillaType: MIW3Dispatch Text:
On 03-12-26 Palmer Probations conducted a search in the residence of Joshua Harrison (43-year-old male), a convicted felon currently on probation. A handgun was located in the process of the search. AST responded and investigation revealed Joshua had committed the crime of Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Third Degree. He was arrested and remanded on the above charge at MSPT.
Posted on 3/12/2026 2:56:55 PM by DPS\cataratko
-
AK26021831
Location: Meadow LakesType: MIW, DWLS, and VCORDispatch Text:
On 03/11/2026 at approximately 1636 hours, the Mat-Su Valley Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) conducted a traffic stop on a residential street in Meadow Lakes. The driver initially refused to identify himself, challenged the reason for the traffic stop, and attempted to re-enter his vehicle. The driver eventually identified himself as Adam Fletcher, 47 of Eagle River. The investigation revealed that Fletcher was driving with a revoked license (DWLR) and in possession of a concealed firearm. Fletcher failed to immediately notify CSU of the concealed firearm. Further investigation revealed that Fletcher was on ankle monitor with Pretrial Enforcement Division (PED) for a felony crime involving domestic violence. Fletcher was placed under arrest for one count of DWLR, one count of Misconduct Involving Weapons (MIW) in the Fifth Degree, and two counts of Violating Conditions of Release (VCOR). Fletcher was remanded to Mat-Su pretrial on the aforementioned charges without bail.
Posted on 3/12/2026 6:07:18 PM by DPS\jlyavorsky
C Detachment
-
AK26020669
Location: StebbinsType: DV AssaultDispatch Text:
On March 8, 2026, Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a domestic-violence assault in Stebbins involving 29-year-old Michael Raymond III. Troopers were unable to locate Raymond, but he was later arrested on March 10 by Stebbins VPOs. Raymond escaped from custody later that day and again assaulted and threatened the victim and did not allow them to leave the residence. The victim eventually escaped and Troopers responded again to Stebbins on March 11 and took Raymond into custody. He was arrested on charges of kidnapping, coercion, multiple counts of assault, assault in the presence of a child, interfering with report of domestic violence, and theft.
Posted on 3/12/2026 9:15:29 AM by DPS\tewilliams
D Detachment
-
AK26021963
Location: FairbanksType: Domestic AssaultDispatch Text:
On March 12, 2026, at approximately 1:01AM AST responded to the guest house of 332 Winter Ln, Fairbanks, AK 99709 in reference to a 911 hang-up. Contact was made with the occupants, tourists from Texas, and after an investigation it was determined the male party had committed Assault in the Fourth Degree by placing the victim in fear of imminent physical injury. The male was transported to Fairbanks Correctional Center for further detention.
Posted on 3/12/2026 3:30:28 AM by DPS\jtfaul
-
AK26021931
Location: FairbanksType: DeceasedDispatch Text:
On 03/11/2026, Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a deceased adult male at a residence in North Pole. Initial investigation revealed the male died of a possible drug overdose. Next of kin was on scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Posted on 3/12/2026 5:56:58 AM by DPS\kckelly
-
AK26011131
Location: FairbanksType: Fugitive ApprehensionDispatch Text:
On March 4, 2026 the Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) began a search for Joshua Chatwin (age 41 of Fairbanks). On March 12, 2026 CSU located Chatwin at a residence on Minnie Street in Fairbanks. Chatwin had a no bail (serve time now) warrant for Escape III x 2 and violating Conditions of release on a felony x 2 (4FA-25-01424) as well as a no bail felony warrant for Vehicle Theft 1 (4FA-24-02343CR). Chatwin was contacted and taken into custody on his outstanding arrest warrants and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center.
Posted on 3/12/2026 6:10:24 PM by DPS\smcafee
-
AK26022120
Location: North PoleType: Assault 4 DVDispatch Text:
On March 12, 2026, AST responded to a report of assault (DV) in North Pole. After speaking with the victim, charges were forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for their review. The case is ongoing.
Posted on 3/12/2026 9:35:09 PM by DPS\cjmorlang
-
AK26022261
Location: FairbanksType: DUIDispatch Text:
On March 12th, 2026, at approximately 1900 hours, Fairbanks, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a motor vehicle collision on the Old Richardson Highway. Investigation revealed Brandon Mattzela, age 46 of North Pole, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Mattzela was arrested and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center.
Posted on 3/12/2026 11:15:54 PM by DPS\ctroyer
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
-
AK26020752
Location: McGrathType: Assault, VCORDispatch Text:
On 03/08/2026, AWT McGrath received a report of an individual violating their conditions of release in McGrath. Investigation determined Desaniel Pensgard-Dugaqua, age 19 of McGrath, committed three violations of his conditions of release in case 4AK-26-00001CR. Further investigation determined Pensgard-Dugaqua committed the crime of DV Assault 2 on a household member while a child was present. Pensgard-Dugaqua was subsequently arrested for DV Assault 2, Assault in the presence of a child, and three counts of VCOR. He was remanded to YKCC.
Posted on 3/12/2026 9:30:43 AM by DPS\dcbrooks
AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Highway Patrol
-
AK26021739
Location: WasillaType: DWLSDispatch Text:
On 03/11/2026 at approximately 1331 hours, the Highway Interdiction K9 Team conducted a traffic stop on a blue Kia Optima with no plates. The driver was identified as Shane Madsen, age 64 of Wasilla. Investigation revealed Madsen had a suspended driver's license with previous convictions. Madsen was issued a criminal summons for Driving While License Suspended.
Posted on 3/12/2026 2:32:07 PM by DPS\glstephens
AK Bureau of Judicial Services
-
AK26008596
Location: AnchorageType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 03/11/26, Court Service Officers performed a warrant arrest of Kierra Sheldon at the Nesbett Courthouse and remanded her to Hiland Mountain Correctional Facility.
Posted on 3/12/2026 8:51:22 AM by DPS\jmiller2
AK Div of Fire and Life Safety
-
AK26019350
Location: KoyukType: Fire InvestigationDispatch Text:
UPDATE 3/12: The State Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the human remains recovered from the fire as 23-year-old Trevor Savetilik. His next-of-kin were notified. The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing.
UPDATE, 3/5/26: Troopers and a Deputy Fire Marshal responded to Koyuk to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Trevor Savetilik, 23, remains unaccounted for. Investigators recovered human remains from the scene and will transport them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification. The investigation is ongoing, but there were no immediate signs of foul play.
ORIGINAL: On March 4, 2026, Alaska State Troopers received a report around 6:05 a.m. of a residential fire in Koyuk. Three residents got out of the home and did not report any injuries, but one adult male remains unaccounted for. Troopers and a Deputy Fire Marshal are responding to the scene to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.
Posted on 3/4/2026 12:01:18 PM by DPS\tewilliams . Edited on 3/12/2026 1:43:13 PM by DPS\tewilliams
Accessibility