Chilling details in kidnapping of Forest Service workers as father and son suspects appear in court

Newly released federal court documents are shedding light on the terrifying hostage crisis involving two U.S.Forest Service workers after they were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by a father and son in a remote Northern California forest Friday.The criminal affidavit, filed in the U.S.

District Court for the Eastern District of California, outlines minute-by-minute allegations against 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his 23-year-old son, Phoenix Henrichsen.Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees and are scheduled to appear in court Monday at 2 p.m.According to investigators, the two biologists were conducting research on frog habitats near Gumboot Lake Campground on July 16 when Joseph Henrichsen allegedly approached them carrying an AR-15-style rifle.Federal authorities say he ordered the researchers to turn around, raise their hands and then zip-tied the hostages‘ wrists behind their backs before forcing them to walk to a nearby camping trailer.

Court documents allege Phoenix emerged from the woods and at his father’s direction, cleared space inside the trailer before the victims were ordered inside.The affidavit paints a disturbing picture of what happened next.Investigators say Joseph later separated the victims, taking one of the biologists in a U.S.Forest Service truck while still armed with the rifle.

During that drive, prosecutors allege he used the victim’s cellphone to make several calls, including leaving a voicemail for someone he knew.“I’ve taken two fed biologists hostage from the Forest Service,” he allegedly said in the recorded message.“I’ve got live rounds ready… I’d like to have you send me a fed investigator, preferably from the FBI.”The affidavit says he then returned to the trailer, where the victims remained restrained.

Later that afternoon, he allegedly repeated the process with the second biologist, leaving Phoenix alone inside the trailer with the other captive for hours.Court doc...