California father and son charged with kidnapping Forest Service workers plead not guilty

Joseph “Charles” Henrichsen, 49, and his 23-year-old son Phoenix were taken into federal custody after an armed standoff in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, where they detained two Forest Service staff conducting frog-habitat surveys. The FBI seized them at their trailer on July 17 and they were brought before Magistrate Judge Sean Riordan in Sacramento, where they entered not-guilty pleas and asked for jury trials. Charges include two counts of kidnapping a federal employee for each defendant, with Joseph also facing assault with a deadly weapon, firearm brandishing, and assault on a federal officer.

The kidnapping allegations carry a potential life sentence, while the assault charges could add up to 20 years each. Both men remain jailed without bond, and a November 30 status conference has been scheduled. Defense counsel waived the Speedy Trial Act, and prosecutors will provide extensive discovery material to the defense.