Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Monday, July 8, 2024
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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AK24066184
Location: KasilofType: Officer Involved ShootingDispatch Text:
UPDATE 7/11: The Alaska State Trooper who discharged their firearm during this incident is identified as:
- Trooper Gabriel Holmann, a one-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing its thorough investigation into this incident. It will then be referred to the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions for review.
UPDATE 7/8/24 2:30 pm: The deceased adult male is identified as 67-year-old Soldotna resident Kirk Medak. Next of kin have been notified.
ORIGINAL: On July 8, 2024, at around 12:19 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a man was threatening to kill people with a sword on South Kasilof Beach. State Troopers and Wildlife Troopers responded to the area and located the man near several tents. When they drove up to the area, a man brandishing a harpoon charged at the Trooper’s marked patrol vehicle, the man initially retreated after Troopers ordered him to step back. When the Troopers exited the patrol vehicle, he began to charge at them while still brandishing the harpoon and ignoring the Trooper's commands. One Alaska State Trooper discharged their firearm, striking the man. Despite lifesaving efforts by the Troopers and EMS, the adult male was declared deceased at the scene. His body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. Next-of-kin notifications are in progress, and his identity will be released once notifications have been made.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has assumed case responsibility and is actively investigating the incident thoroughly. Once their investigation is complete, it will be referred to the Office of Special Prosecutions for independent review. The Trooper who discharged their firearm has been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with DPS policy. Their name will be released publicly in 72 hours.
Posted on 7/8/2024 10:02:01 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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AK24066138
Location: NinilchickType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 7/7/2024, Alaska State Troopers in Anchor Point conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. The driver, Joseph Mcelroy, indicated he was having a medical emergency. Subsequent investigation determined Joseph was actually driving under the influence of alcohol. Joseph was arrested and remanded to Homer Jail.
Posted on 7/8/2024 3:46:05 AM by DPS\jalindblom
B Detachment
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AK24066422
Location: HoustonType: DV Assault, VCORDispatch Text:
On 7/8/24 at approximately 1426 hours Palmer AST responded to an address near N White Rabbit Dr in Houston for report of a disturbance. Investigation revealed Taylor Rausch, age 28 of Houston, had caused physical injury to a family member and placed them in fear of imminent danger by means of a dangerous instrument. Further investigation revealed Rausch was on conditions of release not to be in contact with the victim or be at the residence. Rausch was ultimately arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for charges of DV Assault 3rd Degree, DV Assault 4th Degree, and VCOR.
Posted on 7/8/2024 6:39:58 PM by DPS\cdwebb
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AK24066259
Location: Big LakeType: DWLSDispatch Text:
On 7/8/24 at approximately 0922 hours Palmer AST performed a routine traffic stop on a vehicle near Winterhaven and Wasey Way in Big Lake for a moving violation. Investigation revealed the driver, Richard Brown, age 39 of Big Lake, was driving with a suspended license and had multiple prior convictions for driving with license suspended. Brown was issued a misdemeanor citation for DWLS and released from scene.
Posted on 7/8/2024 6:42:07 PM by DPS\cdwebb
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AK24066182
Location: WasillaType: DWLRDispatch Text:
At approximately 0025 hours on 7/8/24, AST conducted a traffic stop on a Chevy pickup truck traveling on the Parks Highway. The driver was identified as Gary Kerby (57) of Palmer who did not possess a license due to it being revoked. Gary had been previously advised of his revoked status. He was then issued a misdemeanor citation and notified of his future court date.
Posted on 7/8/2024 5:49:52 AM by DPS\jlfiaai
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AK24066141
Location: WasillaType: DWLR, No Insurance, Altering License PlateDispatch Text:
On 7/7/2024 AST contacted an abandoned 1987 Mazda Pickup in Wasilla. The driver was identified as Martin Boardsman. Investigation revealed that Martin was driving with his license revoked, and no insurance along with altering the license plate. A summons was issued to Martin.
Posted on 7/8/2024 6:05:50 AM by DPS\tjwilson
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AK24056790
Location: WasillaType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 7/8/24 at approximately 1130 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Stacy Street in Wasilla and contacted Jordon Olmsted, age 42 of Wasilla. An investigation revealed that Olmsted had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on the original charge of Theft II. Olmsted was arrested for his warrant and transported to MSPT for remand.
Posted on 7/8/2024 1:10:58 PM by DPS\makessler
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK24066215
Location: FairbanksType: BurglaryDispatch Text:
On 07/08/2024 at approximately 0615, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a burglary call in Fairbanks. Troopers' investigation determined that Charles Castro and Chastity Joshua committed the crimes of Attempted Burglary 2, Criminal Trespass 2, and MICS 5—both parties were transported to FCC.
Posted on 7/8/2024 7:56:44 AM by DPS\oamodestoOrdonez
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AK24063613
Location: TokType: Reckless DrivingDispatch Text:
On July 1, 2024 Alaska State Troopers in Tok received a report of property damage caused by an ATV doing donuts at a business in Tok. Through surveillance footage, Troopers identified the involved parties. Investigation resulted in charges being referred against Jesse Stienbarger, age 32 of Tok, for Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief 5, and Assault 4.
Posted on 7/8/2024 10:46:32 AM by DPS\sohessler
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AK24066548
Location: Delta JunctionType: Forest FireDispatch Text:
On 7-8-24, Delta Junction AST received a report of smoke in the woods near 1369 of the Alaska Hwy from a Black Gold Ore truck driving by. Delta Junction AST responded and investigation showed the forest had caught fire. Forestry was notified and sent resources.
Posted on 7/8/2024 8:03:20 PM by DPS\cihudson
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AK24066198
Location: TokType: Assault 2Dispatch Text:
On July 8, 2024 at about 2:21 AM, Alaska State Troopers in Tok received a report of an assault having just occurred in the Tok area. Subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Thomas, age 38 of Tok, for two counts of Assault in the Second Degree. Jonathan was remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he was held without bail.
Posted on 7/8/2024 11:09:01 PM by DPS\sohessler
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK24065987
Location: VALDEZType: Operate Two Commercial Drift NetsDispatch Text:
On 7-6-24, Christopher Mattson 28 YOA of Cordova, was cited by the Valdez Wildlife Trooper for operating two commercial salmon drift gillnets in Main Bay during a salmon opener. Arraignment scheduled in the Cordova Court on 8-28-24.
Posted on 7/8/2024 1:21:51 PM by DPS\ambeck
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AK24066032
Location: VALDEZType: Improper Commercial Drift Gillnet BuoyDispatch Text:
On 7-6-24, Timothy Gall Jr. 44 YOA of Anchor Point, was cited by the Valdez Wildlife Trooper for operating a commercial salmon drift gillnet that did not have the appropriate required buoy on each end of the net. Contact made outside of Main Bay. Arraignment scheduled in the Cordova Court on 8-28-24.
Posted on 7/8/2024 1:27:28 PM by DPS\ambeck
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AK24064388
Location: DillinghamType: Failure to Register before Commercial FishedDispatch Text:
On July 3, 2024 Christopher Peterson, age 45 from Anchorage was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for failing to register for a statistical area in Igushik River prior to commercial fishing. Arraignment is scheduled in Dillingham District Court on August 5, 2024.
Posted on 7/8/2024 2:49:17 PM by DPS\fdmccammon
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AK24066142
Location: Kasilof BeachType: Fail to record Personal Use Fish on PermitDispatch Text:
On 7/7/2024, at approximately 2107 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers were patrolling at the south Kasilof Beach Upper Cook Inlet Dipnet Site. Veronica Beans, age 24, from Anchorage, was contacted at the north Kasilof beach. Investigation revealed that Veronica Beans failed to log multiple days of P/U fish caught on her Upper Cook Inlet Permit. Veronica Beans was issued a bailable citation for failing to log her salmon.
Posted on 7/8/2024 3:13:37 PM by DPS\dmlorring
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AK24066391
Location: SoldotnaType: Bear Bait PermitDispatch Text:
On 7/8/2024 at approximately 1440 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Kody Vaught, age 26, from Soldotna. Investigation revealed Kody Vaught shot a black Bear over a bait site in 2024. Kody Vaught did not have a 2024 State of Alaska Bear Baiting Permit. Kody Vaught was issued a mandatory court citation for failing to have a Bear Baiting Permit.
Posted on 7/8/2024 3:17:23 PM by DPS\dmlorring
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AK24066022
Location: DillinghamType: Commercial Fish Over Length NetDispatch Text:
On July 7, 2024 Gaylord Clark, age 66 from Stevenson MD was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for commercial fishing with an over length drift gillnet in Nushagak Bay. Arraignment is scheduled in Dillingham District Court on August 5, 2024.
Posted on 7/8/2024 3:40:15 PM by DPS\fdmccammon
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AK24065370
Location: DillinghamType: Commercial Fishing ViolationDispatch Text:
On July 4, 2024 Edmond Kroener, age 44 from Chugiak, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for multiple commercial set net fishing violations in the Igushik River. Arraignment is scheduled in Dillingham District Court on August 5, 2024.
Posted on 7/8/2024 5:17:23 PM by DPS\fdmccammon
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AK24066091
Location: GlennallenType: SAR-FatalDispatch Text:
On July 7, 2024, at 6:25pm, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified of a rafting incident on the Klutina River near Copper Center. One raft, in a guided group of three rafts, was pinned by the river current against landslide debris and rolled over. In the rolled raft was a rafting guide, and three passengers. Rescue efforts were initiated on scene. The guide, and two individuals were recovered to a second raft. The fourth individual was not immediately located. Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and EMS responded downriver to the Richardson Highway Bridge where the fourth person was spotted and recovered by good Samaritans. One of the passengers, that was initially recovered to the second raft, identified as Deborah Burke age 65 of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, succumbed to her injuries after life-saving efforts by EMS were unsuccessful. The rafting guide and one of the recovered individuals were treated on scene and then medevacked to Anchorage with serious injuries. Next of kin was on scene and notified.
Posted on 7/8/2024 12:01:43 PM by DPS\tjdespain
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AK24065976
Location: VALDEZType: Fail To Record Sportcaught ShrimpDispatch Text:
On 7-5-24, Christopher Fitka 45 YOA of Valdez, was cited by the Valdez Wildlife Trooper for failing to immediately record sport caught shrimp in the Port of Valdez. Bail set at $120 in the Valdez Court.
Posted on 7/8/2024 1:07:13 PM by DPS\ambeck
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