On Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at approximately 9:03 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and Humboldt Drug Task Force (DTF) served a Ramey Warrant on a residence on Tish Tang Rd, Hoopa. The warrant was for 25 year old Gearold Sotolongo. Sotolongo is suspected of murdering 30 year old Roger Alan Yale in the Hoopa Valley on Saturday, February 13, 2016. The SWAT team safely took Sotolongo into custody. Sotolongo was taken to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for murder. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information in regards to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Fulton at (707) 268-3646. For media inquiries, please contact CSO Selena Zorrilla-Mendoza at (707) 268-3602.
Previous (2/13/16):
Based the ongoing HCSO investigation into this mornings’ homicide in the Hoopa Valley, detectives have named Gearold Sotolongo aka Roldo Pratt as a suspect and he is now wanted for that homicide.
Sotolongo is described as 25 year old Native American male, 5’8, 225 lbs, black shoulder length hair and a full beard. Sotolongo was last seen in the area of the Alameda Trailer Park on Highway 96.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or Detective T. Fulton at 707-268-3646
Previous (2/13/16):
On 02-13-16, at approximately 8:32 AM, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a disturbance in the Hoopa Valley. Deputies and Medical personnel arrived on scene and began life saving efforts on a 30 year old male. The victim was transported to a landing zone to be flown out by helicopter. The victim succumbed to his injury prior to being transported by helicopter.
There are no suspects at this time. This incident is currently being investigated by Detectives with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at
707-268-2539.
Mike Downey
Sheriff