News

The Humboldt County Drug Task Force reported seizing nearly 5 pound of suspected heroin while seeing a search warrant yesterday, according to a press release.

The warrant, served in the 500 block of Warren Creek Road, was targeting Jack Ryan Skundrich, 34, who is well known to the task force. According to the press release, Skundrich was arrested in January of last year for transporting heroin with a juvenile in the car and charged with felony child endangerment, though he failed to appear in court and has been wanted on a warrant since. Also in January of 2019, agents served a search warrant at his home and seized approximately 6 pounds of heroin and arrested Skundrich's acquaintance, according to the press release.

This time, officers found Skundrich in the home and took him and an acquaintance — Juan Sabino Alvarez, 36, of Sinaloa, Mexico — into custody on suspicion of possessing and transporting a controlled substance. Skundrich was also booked on the outstanding warrant and suspicion of maintaining a drug house.

See the full press release copied below:

PRESS RELEASE

On July 29th, 2020, special agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), with the assistance of the Arcata Police Department, served a search warrant at a residence located in the 500 block of Warren Creek Road, Arcata.

During their ongoing investigation, agents identified Jack Ryan Skundrich (age 34) as a suspected narcotics trafficker distributing heroin throughout Humboldt County. Agents were familiar with Skundrich from previous investigations. In January 2019, agents arrested Skundrich for transporting heroin with a juvenile. Skundrich was charged with felony child endangerment, to which he failed to appear in court, and a felony warrant was issued. Again, in January 2019, agents served a search warrant at Skundrich’s residence and seized approximately 6 pounds of suspected heroin. Skundrich’s acquaintance was arrested during this investigation.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., agents arrived at the residence and detained Skundrich, along with his acquaintance, Juan Sabino Alvarez (age 36 from Sinaloa, Mexico). During a search of the residence and associated vehicles, agents located approximately 5 pounds of suspected heroin packaged for sales. Agents also located over $5,000 in U.S currency that is believed to be profits from illegal narcotics sales. This currency was seized and will be held pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

Skundrich and Alvarez were subsequently placed under arrest for possession and transportation of controlled substances. Skundrich was also charged for operating / maintaining a drug house and a felony warrant for child endangerment. Both subjects were booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.