Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, April 23, 2026

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

A Detachment

  • AK26036347

    Location: Soldotna
    Type: DWLS and VCOR

    Dispatch Text:

    On 4/23/26, at about 2100 hours, AST conducted a traffic stop at the location of W Poppy Ln near Roxi St in Kenai. The driver was identified to be Nathan Lee James, 38 of Kenai. Investigation revealed James was driving while his license was suspended with a previous conviction and he violated his conditions of release. James was remanded at Wildwood for the charges of DWLS and VCOR.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 11:41:47 PM by DPS\nrburke

B Detachment

  • AK26036148

    Location: Talkeetna
    Type: DV Assault

    Dispatch Text:

    On 04/23/2026 at approximately 1241 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in Talkeetna reference a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Troopers noticed signs of obvious injuries to an individual. Investigation revealed Landon Mattingley, age 34 of Talkeetna, caused injury to a household member. Landon was arrested for Assault 4 and remanded at MSPT with no bail.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 5:43:45 PM by DPS\bmkadow

  • AK26035542

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Shooting Investigation

    Dispatch Text:

    On April 21, 2026, at 8:40pm, Alaska State Troopers responded to an address off Limberlost Ave in Wasilla for reports of a shooting. Troopers located an adult male who had a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation determined the male had been shot at a separate location, off South Birch Cove in Wasilla and was subsequently dropped off at the Limberlost location. The investigation is ongoing. This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 11:44:01 AM by DPS\tjdespain

  • AK26035010

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 04/22/2026, Alaska State Troopers contacted Kristena Bannon, age 42 of Wasilla. Bannon had an active arrest warrant for failure to appear for pretrial conference. Bannon was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial, where she was held on a $300 bail.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 3:09:29 AM by DPS\jrvenable

C Detachment

  • AK26035865

    Location: Gambell
    Type: Assault / Criminal Mischief

    Dispatch Text:

    On April 22, 2026, at 4:04pm, Alaska State Troopers received a report that 28-year-old Grady Rexford was inside the Gambell Native Store armed with a knife and threatening customers. Due to weather, AST was unable to immediately respond. Gambell VPOs detained Rexford for a parole violation after he caused damage at the AVEC power plant, resulting in a village-wide loss of power, water, communications, and heat for over 5 hours. There was a significant blizzard in Gambell during this incident with a windchill of -20 degrees. Investigation revealed Rexford, while intoxicated, threatened multiple individuals with a knife inside the store and at the power plant, placing several victims in fear of injury. He also unlawfully entered restricted areas, damaged property, and manipulated critical infrastructure, creating a substantial risk to over 600 residents during severe weather conditions. Rexford was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Assault 3, Assault 4, Criminal Trespass, Burglary 1, Criminal Mischief (1st and 3rd degree), and Reckless Endangerment.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 4:06:05 PM by DPS\tjdespain

D Detachment

  • AK26035876

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Probation Violation

    Dispatch Text:

    On April 22, 2026, at approximately 1555 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to Trinidad and Dartmouth Dr in Fairbanks for an intoxicated person. Investigation revealed that Adam McGinty, 31YOA of Fairbanks, was in violation of his probation conditions. Adam was arrested and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 7:03:38 AM by DPS\jldreher

  • AK26035174

    Location: Central
    Type: Assault

    Dispatch Text:

    On 04/20/2026 at approximately 07:11 PM, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a female who had been shot in Central. Investigations showed that Clifford Reals (aged 32, from Central) was the shooter. The female was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Clifford Reals was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 9:24:24 AM by DPS\acfishe

  • AK26036088

    Location: North Pole
    Type: Assault IV Domestic Violence

    Dispatch Text:

    On 4-23-26 at approximately 0940 hours, the Alaska State Trooper received a report of a disturbance at a residence off Plack Road. Investigation revealed that Jeremy Benefield, age 47, of North Pole, placed a household member in fear of physical injury. Benefield was arrested and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 11:37:02 AM by DPS\cjnelson1

  • AK26036334

    Location: Nort
    Type: Disturbance

    Dispatch Text:

    At approximately 1915 hours on 23 April 2026, Alaska State Troopers responded to Shasta Drive in North Pole reference a disturbance call.

    Investigation revealed that Isaac Boyles was in violation of his conditions of release.  He was arrested and remanded to FCC.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 10:45:06 PM by DPS\brduffy

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Highway Patrol

  • AK25111833

    Location: Big Lake
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 04/21/2026, the Highway Interdiction K9 Team contacted Raymond Pointer, age 56 of Big Lake riding a lawn mower on the bike path in Big Lake. Investigation revealed Pointer had an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to remand on the original charge of Driving While License Revoked from 10/2025. Pointer was arrested and remanded to MAT-SU Pretrial where he was held until his time was served.

    Posted on 4/23/2026 12:02:42 PM by DPS\glstephens

  • AK26035285

    Location: Big Lake
    Type: MICS

    Dispatch Text:

    On 04/21/2026, the Highway Interdiction K9 Team conducted a traffic stop on a green Chevy Silverado on Big Lake Road. Following a positive K9 indication, a search warrant was applied for and approved. The search revealed multiple different controlled substances for distribution. Charges are being filed for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substances 2nd Degree, 3rd Degree, and 5th Degree. 

    Posted on 4/23/2026 12:32:02 PM by DPS\glstephens

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

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