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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The February death of a Northshore woman has led to the second homicide arrest the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has made connected to fentanyl.
On Wednesday, sheriff’s detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ryan John Stahl, 40, of Lucerne, for the death of Carissa Morton, 28, of Nice, said sheriff’s office spokesperson Lauren Berlinn.
Berlinn said detectives found Stahl in Lucerne and placed him under arrest for second degree murder, possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance for sale.
On Feb. 28, Morton was reported missing to the sheriff’s office. Berlinn said deputies responded to her residence in the 3400 block of Beach Street in Nice.
Deputies gained entry to the residence and found Morton deceased inside. During the initial death investigation, it was believed Morton died from a fentanyl overdose, Berlinn said.
Berlinn said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit Detectives immediately initiated a criminal investigation to determine who provided Morton with the fentanyl.
Over the course of the investigation, detectives interviewed witnesses, served search warrants, analyzed digital evidence and reviewed video surveillance footage, which Berlinn said led them to identify Stahl as the individual responsible for supplying Morton with the fentanyl that led to her death.
An autopsy of Morton was conducted. In May, toxicology results confirmed that the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose, Berlinn said.
Berlinn said the Major Crimes Unit referred the case to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for review, and it was determined that Stahl would be prosecuted for Morton’s murder.
That decision led to the detectives obtaining an arrest warrant for Stahl, Berlinn said.
Jail records show Stahl was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon and is being held at the Lake County Jail on $1 million bail.
Stahl also is facing felony charges from cases filed in March and May for possession of drugs for sale and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
He was held to answer following an April preliminary hearing on the March case and is scheduled for a jury trial in July.
A review of Lake County Superior Court records shows that Stahl has no other courts records outside of a March traffic infraction.
Stahl’s arrest is the second fentanyl homicide arrest in Lake County.
The first, which came exactly a year ago this month, was of Joe Boggs Jr. of Lucerne for the death of 17-year-old Illeanna Makena Frease in November of 2023.
Boggs, arrested on June 14, 2024, is alleged to have provided fentanyl to Frease, a member of the Elem Indian Colony. Frease’s mother accused Boggs, who also is Native American, of operating on and off of tribal lands openly, trafficking her daughter and poisoning her to death.
Boggs has an extensive criminal history with convictions for felonies in drug, assault and grand theft cases.
In July, Boggs was held to answer following a preliminary hearing and is set for trial which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17.
He remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $1,001,000.
“The Sheriff’s Office is proud to be at the forefront of investigating these complex cases and seeking justice for victims. We want to acknowledge the dedication of the detectives and deputies involved in this case, whose diligent work made this arrest possible,” Berlinn said.
She added that the sheriff’s office will continue to combat the fentanyl crisis and hold fentanyl dealers accountable, adding, “We extend our deepest condolences to Carissa’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To access local support for mental health, substance use, or other behavioral health services, please visit lakecountyca.gov/173/Behavioral-Health-Services.
If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit Tip Line at 707-262-4088.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Congressman Mike Thompson, second from left, received CalWild’s 2025 California Conservation Champion award on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Courtesy photo.
On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) was honored as CalWild’s 2025 California Conservation Champion for his steadfast advocacy and legislative accomplishments in safeguarding more California wilderness than any other living California Member of Congress.
“I’m grateful to CalWild for this recognition and for their nearly 50 years of tireless work to protect California’s public lands,” said Thompson. “As an avid outdoorsman and lifelong conservationist, I’ve always believed our public lands belong to everyone — not just for today, but for generations to come. It’s been an honor to work alongside CalWild to protect and restore the wild places that define our great state.”
"Congressman Thompson has been a stalwart leader for conservation of California's wild places and rivers for decades, and CalWild was delighted to celebrate his many achievements for our state,” said Mark Green, executive director of CalWild.
CalWild presented the California Conservation Champion award during their annual reception on June 17 at Point Richmond.
The organization recognized Thompson’s decades-long record of public lands leadership.
Thompson delivered brief remarks at the event, highlighting the importance of conservation and CalWild’s vital role in protecting California’s wilderness, rivers, and biodiversity.
As a member of Congress, Thompson has authored and passed legislation — now signed into law — that permanently protects over one million acres of public land in California.
He also wrote the legislation to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument, protecting over 330,000 acres of wildlife habitat, rare plants, and clean water sources.
President Barack Obama signed that designation into law in 2015 and Thompson championed President Biden's expansion of the monument in 2024.
In addition to his legislative work, Rep. Thompson serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus and as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, where he has helped conserve over four million acres of wetlands and uplands across North America.
Thompson representS California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Thursday the ending of slavery in the United States will be commemorated as part of “Juneteenth.”
Juneteenth, National Freedom Day, became a federal holiday in June of 2021 after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, or S.475, received bipartisan support, passing 415 to 14 on June 16, 2021.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in Lake County.
The full proclamation, which was read by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, follows.
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and is a profoundly significant celebration of freedom, symbolizing the end of the oppressive era of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on June 19th each year, we look back to this day in 1865, on which Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the insidious institution of slavery. Thousands of enslaved people in Texas - among the last to learn of their independence - tasted hard-won freedom for the first time; and
WHEREAS, over the next several decades, African Americans who journeyed out of the South seeking better lives brought Juneteenth celebrations with them. The thousands who settled in California, especially in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, taught our state that America's struggle for independence did not end in 1776 or 1865, but continues to this day; and
WHEREAS, we are urged to reflect on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans - remembering that, though General Granger's announcement in 1865 called for "absolute equality," that vision was, and remains, far from complete; and
WHEREAS, as we recognize the significance of this pivotal moment in history and its enduring impact on the struggle for equality and justice, we urge people of all backgrounds to reflect, celebrate, and continue the journey towards freedom.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, the Lake County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognize June 19th, 2025, as Juneteenth: National Freedom Day.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The California Highway Patrol takes a subject into custody during the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz. Photo courtesy of the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol joined more than 100 law enforcement agencies and major retailers for a multi-day, National Organized Retail Crime Blitz.
As part of the coordinated effort, from May 26 to 30, the CHP conducted high-visibility enforcement operations throughout the state, focused on identifying and apprehending individuals and groups involved in large-scale retail theft and fencing operations.
The CHP played a key role in this effort by deploying its Organized Retail Crime Task Force, or ORCTF, which collaborated with local and state agencies to investigate and intercept criminal activity in shopping centers, malls, and high-traffic retail areas throughout California.
“Retail theft doesn’t stop at state lines — and neither do we,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By working together with our law enforcement partners and retailers nationwide, we are sending a clear message: if you come to California to steal, we will be here to stop you.”
Throughout the statewide operation, the CHP made over 90 arrests, recovered nearly $153,000 worth of stolen merchandise, and identified multiple suspects linked to organized crime rings operating in and beyond California.
The CHP said these efforts reinforced the importance of intelligence sharing, real-time coordination, and proactive enforcement in deterring retail theft.
The operation also highlighted the role of technology, surveillance systems, and data-driven investigations in identifying repeat offenders and dismantling theft networks that contribute to broader public safety threats.
With organized retail crime being an escalating concern, California has implemented aggressive enforcement measures to disrupt these criminal enterprises.
Since 2019, California has invested $1.1 billion in public safety, including record funding to combat organized retail crime.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bipartisan laws to give law enforcement stronger tools to fight theft, hold offenders accountable and adapt to evolving criminal tactics.
Since the inception of the ORCTF in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 3,800 investigations, resulting in the arrest of more than 4,400 suspects and the recovery of nearly 1.4 million stolen goods, valued at over $58 million.
The CHP said it remains committed to protecting California’s businesses, supporting the safety of retail workers and customers, and continuing to build strong public-private partnerships to confront organized retail crime.
Some of the items recovered during the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz. Photo courtesy of the California Highway Patrol.
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