UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.:
In response to questions from the
Outpost, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office provided a bit more information about the facts behind Aguirre’s arrest and the allegations against him.
Asked what contraband he’s accused of bringing into the jail, Public Information Specialist Samantha Karges said via email, “[E]vidence indicates that opioids and methamphetamine were brought into the jail by Aguirre.”
The investigation was initiated after a witness “from outside the facility” came forward with information about the alleged smuggling, and all evidence thus far indicates that Aguirre was alone in committing these acts, Karges said.
Posted By Kimberly Wear@kimberly wear on Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 11:58 AM click to enlarge The Humboldt County jail.
A correctional officer was arrested Tuesday by the Humboldt County Drug Force following a month-long investigation into information that he was smuggling drugs into the jail. Eureka resident Ricardo Tranquilino Aguirre, 27, who had been at the job since September of 2019, resigned his position today, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reported.
According to a news release, the drug task force investigation began last month after the sheriff’s office received information that Aguirre had been bringing contraband in the facility.
The release states that evidence found since his arrest indicates he had been doing so for months and was acting alone.
Caltrans Reopens U.S. 101 To One-Way Controlled Traffic
Caltrans reopened U.S. 101 at about 6 p.m. Monday, after a landslide near Last Chance Grade halted traffic for about two days.
Motorists should expect 30 minute delays and be prepared for things to change pending additional slide activity, according to a Facebook post from the agency.
The slide shuttered U.S. 101 between mile post markers 13.3 and 23.85 south of Crescent City at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Caltrans personnel spent Sunday clearing debris and reopened the highway at about 6 p.m. only to have to close it down again due to a rock fall, according to agency spokeswoman Cori Reed.