Two arrested after reported assault and false imprisonment at Larissa Circle apartment

Two people were arrested after a reported physical assault and alleged false imprisonment at an apartment on Larissa Circle in McKinleyville, officials said, and the 20-year-old male victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Humboldt County deputies say the incident prompted an early-morning response and resulted in two bookings at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

According to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release reported by the Lost Coast Outpost, "On Feb. 19, 2026, at 12:24 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to the 2600 block of Central Ave. in McKinleyville to meet with a victim reporting a physical assault." Deputies were sent shortly after midnight to the Central Avenue block to make contact with the person who sought help.

The press release reported the victim's account of the events at the Larissa Circle apartment. "Upon arrival, deputies contacted a 20‑year‑old male victim who reported that while visiting an apartment on Larissa Circle, he was physically assaulted, threatened, and prevented from leaving by the apartment two individuals. The victim was able to flee the apartment and seek assistance," the release said.

Deputies at the scene observed injuries consistent with the reported assault, and emergency medical services transported the victim for treatment. "Deputies observed injuries consistent with the reported assault. Emergency medical services responded and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of non‑life‑threatening injuries," the press release stated.

Law enforcement identified and arrested two suspects after the investigation. "Based upon the victim’s statements and corroborating physical evidence, deputies arrested Meng and Nelson. Both were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional facility and booked on the following charges," the LoCO excerpt said. Authorities named the suspects as 22-year-old Catalina Faith Meng of McKinleyville and 19-year-old Eric Nelson of Scotia. Meng is listed on charges of false imprisonment with violence, inflicting corporal injury and battery with serious bodily injury; Nelson is listed on charges of false imprisonment with violence, battery with serious bodily injury and making criminal threats.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539, as noted in the sheriff’s information released to local media. No victim name, court dates, bail amounts or further details on the corroborating physical evidence were provided in the materials released by law enforcement.