A father and son accused of taking Forest Service scientists hostage in Siskiyou County two weeks ago was indicted on 7 counts by a Federal Grand Jury Thursday. The two biologists were doing a study on frog habitats near Gumboot Lake when they were allegedly approached by 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen holding an AR-10 semiautomatic rifle. With the help of 23-year-old Phoenix Henrichsen, the federal employees hands were reportedly bound with zip ties and they were led to a camp trailer and held for 15 hours. After Charles apparently called a number of people and told them of the situation, there was a massive response by federal, state and county law enforcement. The FBI eventually negotiated the release of the hostages and the surrender of the Henrichsens. Their motive remains unclear. If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in federal prison.
-Steve Gibson