Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, September 18, 2025
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
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AK25095244
Location: WasillaType: MICS4, Probation ViolationDispatch Text:
On 09/18/2025 at approximately 1336 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop near the Williwaw neighborhood. Following an investigation Nicholas Thomas, age 33, was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for violation of probation and misconduct involving controlled substances in the fourth degree.
Posted on 9/18/2025 3:54:26 PM by DPS\jrvenable
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AK25095170
Location: WasillaType: MICSDispatch Text:
On 09/18/2025 at 1111 hours, Palmer AST conducted a traffic stop on Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. The occupants were identified as Tana Starr, 64 YOA of Wasilla and Pamela Carroll, 69 YOA of Wasilla. The investigation revealed that Starr and Carroll were in possession of buprenorphine and suspected crack-cocaine. Starr and Carroll were released from the scene. AST will refer charges to the District Attorney’s Office upon confirmatory testing of the suspected crack-cocaine.
Posted on 9/18/2025 1:04:37 PM by DPS\jlyavorsky
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AK25094928
Location: WasillaType: VCORDispatch Text:
On 9/17/2025 at approximately 1838 hours, AST received a report of a disturbance between two females near the intersection of Seldon and Lakeview. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that one of the females identified as Terra Stanley, 48 YOA of Wasilla, was in violation of her conditions of release. Terra was arrested and remanded to MSPT, where she was held without bail.
Posted on 9/18/2025 9:21:40 AM by DPS\swcorino
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AK25094966
Location: WasillaType: Assault 4 x2 & MIW 4Dispatch Text:
On 9/18/2025 at approximately 0353 hours, AST received a report of a disturbance on Mckenzy Menard Circle. Investigation revealed that David Hensley, 51 YOA, had assaulted a family member and was in possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. David was arrested and remanded to MSPT, where he was held without bail.
Posted on 9/18/2025 9:24:46 AM by DPS\swcorino
C Detachment
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AK25094955
Location: AleknagikType: AssaultDispatch Text:
On Sept. 17, 2025, Alaska State Troopers were notified that a Village Public Safety Officer was responding to a disturbance in Aleknagik around 9 p.m. During the response, a scuffle ensued, and 44-year-old Andrew Bavilla and 39-year-old Carolyn Blue forced the VPSO out of the home. A trooper called to check on the VPSO while the scuffle was ongoing and the VPSO requested help. Two troopers responded to the scene from Dillingham and Bavilla was arrested on charges including VCOR, assault, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. Blue was arrested on charges of interfering with the report of a crime and disorderly conduct.
Posted on 9/18/2025 2:01:55 PM by DPS\tewilliams
D Detachment
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AK25094957
Location: FairbanksType: DUIDispatch Text:
On 9/17/2025, at approximately 2230 hours, Troopers observed a white Subaru Outback commit multiple traffic violations near Airport Way in Fairbanks. The driver, identified as Steven Kroetsch, showed clear signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming alcohol. Field sobriety tests revealed numerous clues of impairment, and a DataMaster test later showed a BrAC of .204. Steven was arrested and remanded to FCC for Driving Under the Influence (AS 28.35.030) without incident.
Posted on 9/18/2025 3:22:09 AM by DPS\kdanderson
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AK25081412
Location: FairbanksType: WarrantDispatch Text:
On 08/19/2025 at approximately 12:18 Troopers initiated a traffic stop and contacted Ryan Shewfelt, age 41 of Fairbanks, due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest to serve time. He was remanded to FCC with no further incident.
Posted on 9/18/2025 3:39:04 PM by DPS\wpmiller
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK25093549
Location: SewardType: SARDispatch Text:
On Sept. 14, 2025, Alaska State Troopers were notified that 74-year-old Kurt Stenehjem was at a remote property on Little Johnstone Lake east of Seward and had not been in contact with family for several days and had failed to meet a landing craft the day prior. A pilot from Scenic Mountain Air flew to check on him and found him deceased. Weather hampered troopers’ ability to respond to the scene initially, but they reached the area in Helo-3 on Sept. 17. Foul play was not suspected in the death and Stenehjem’s remains were recovered from the scene. His next of kin was notified.
Posted on 9/18/2025 12:11:24 PM by DPS\tewilliams
AK Bureau of Investigation
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AK25095214
Location: KianaType: Officer Involved ShootingDispatch Text:
UPDATE 9/21: In addition to the probation warrant, Westlake has now been charged with one count of Assault in the Third Degree. The VPSO who discharged their weapon in this incident is identified as:
· Northwest Arctic Borough VPSO Henry Martinez, who has served five years as a VPSO
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing their investigation into the incident.
UPDATE 3:45pm: State Troopers have arrested the adult male involved in this incident. 24-year-old Kiana resident Jaden Westlake has been remanded to Kotzebue Jail on an outstanding felony arrest warrant. Additional charges are expected to be filed as Troopers continue their investigation.
ORIGINAL: On September 18, 2025, around 1:00 am, a Village Public Safety Officer in the Village of Kiana responded to a disturbance involving a gun. The VPSO located the adult male suspect outside of a residence, armed with a gun. The VPSO gave commands to the man to drop the gun, but the adult male refused to comply with the orders and began approaching the VPSO while brandishing the gun. Due to the adult male's actions, the VPSO shot at the man multiple times with his duty sidearm. The adult man was not struck by the gunfire and fled the area on foot. The adult male was later disarmed and detained by family members. At first light on September 18th, multiple Troopers from Kotzebue responded to Kiana, along with investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation. They have detained the adult male as they investigate the incident. No injuries associated with the incident involving the VPSO or the adult male have been reported to troopers.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation will assume case responsibility and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions. The VPSO who discharged their firearm has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with Northwest Arctic Borough policy. Their name will be released in 72 hours.
Posted on 9/18/2025 1:44:29 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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