Joseph Charles Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen face life in prison after kidnapping two federal biologists in a 15-hour forest standoff.
Joseph Charles Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen have been charged with kidnapping two federal employees after holding them at gunpoint for 15 hours in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The father and son were charged Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. The incident occurred near the Gumboot Lake Campground, where Joseph Charles Henrichsen allegedly confronted two U.S. Forest Service biologists with an AR-15-style rifle. He zip-tied the employees and moved them into a camping trailer, where Phoenix Henrichsen assisted in keeping them confined. During the standoff, Joseph Charles Henrichsen used a victim's phone to notify authorities that he had taken the biologists hostage and possessed live ammunition. The standoff drew a massive response from local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. After nine hours of negotiations, the victims were released early Friday morning, followed by the surrender of both suspects. If convicted, Joseph Charles Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.