On April 11, 2023, at about 1:04 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of McCullen Avenue and Iowa Street.  

Deputies contacted two women inside the vehicle. The driver was identified as 34-year-old Katherine Erin Carlson and the passenger, 48-year-old Sara Marie Carnemolla. Carlson was found to have two outstanding felony warrants for her arrest and was on parole. During a search of Carlson, Carnemolla and the vehicle, deputies located drug paraphernalia and items consistent with the sale of controlled substances. During their investigation, deputies learned that both women were in possession of controlled substances hidden on their bodies.

Carlson and Carnemolla were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and searched. During a search of Carlson, correctional deputies located over 54 grams of suspected fentanyl. During a search of Carnemolla, correctional deputies located over 44 grams of suspected fentanyl and over 20 grams of methamphetamine.  

Carlson was booked into the Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance (HS 11351), transportation/sale of a controlled substance (HS 11352(A)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)), in addition to warrant charges of violation of probation and parole revocation (PC 3000.08(f)).

Carnemolla was booked into the Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a narcotic controlled substance (HS 11364) and possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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Katherine Erin Carlson Booking Photo | Humboldt County Correctional Facility