Father, son charged with kidnapping 2 U.S. Forest Service biologists at gunpoint

A father and adult son were charged with kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service biologists at gunpoint in Northern California, leading to an hourslong standoff with law enforcement. Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Monday without entering pleas to charges of kidnapping a federal employee and aiding and abetting. Prosecutors allege that on Thursday morning, Joseph approached two Forest Service staff biologists near Gumboot Lake Campground in Shasta-Trinity National Forest while they conducted frog habitat research. The affidavit says Joseph, carrying an AR-15-style rifle, zip-tied the biologists’ hands behind their backs, ordered them to a nearby trailer, and Phoenix joined them. Authorities say one victim was driven several miles in a Forest Service Nissan, while both biologists were held for hours; during negotiations, Joseph allegedly said he had a grenade. The victims were released after 1 a.m. Friday before the suspects surrendered, and officials said no motive was listed in court documents.