Rancheria murder probe ongoing
Homicide suspect’s alleged accomplice to be extradited
Humboldt County residents Mauricio Eduardo Johnson, 18, and Von Eric Keener, 46, appeared in Third District Court in Tooele County, Utah on Tuesday afternoon. Johnson and Keener await extradition in Tooele County, Utah as the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into the Feb. 10 homicide of three Bear River Rancheria residents. At this time, Johnson is the sole suspect.
Johnson and Keener are being held on out-ofstate warrants and being a fugitive from justice. Johnson additionally faces three charges of homicide in Humboldt County.
Appearing for the first time before presiding Judge Dianna Gibson, Public Defender Brad Schofield confirmed he would represent Johnson but requested additional time to meet with his client because he “had not had a chance to talk to him yet” and said he was “just appointed yesterday.”
Judge Gibson granted the request and scheduled Johnson’s next hearing for March 2 at 3:30 p.m.
Johnson simply replied, “Alright.”
Soon after, Keener appeared for the second time before Gibson with his attorney Mark Flores.
“Your Honor, it is my understanding today that Mr. Keener is going to wave extradition,” Flores said.
Gibson asked Keener if he had looked over the consent and waiver of extradition documents and if he had discussed them with his attorney.
“Yes,” Keener responded. “If that is your understanding and you feel comfortable, do you want to move forward and sign those documents?” Gibson asked.
“Yes,” Keener said, confirming he had already signed the documents.
Gibson set another hearing on March 23 to “confirm that you actually have been picked up by California,” she said.
“So, now they can come anytime they want or do they have a specific amount of time?” Keener asked.
Gibson confirmed Humboldt County law enforcement would pick Keener up within 30 days of Tuesday’s hearing.
Reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said the sheriff’s office will work with the California Department of Corrections to return Keener (and eventually Johnson) to Humboldt County.
“Since he is on a parole warrant essentially for absconding, parole will arrange transportation to get him back here to Humboldt County,” Honsal said. “If there are any fresh charges, they will be filed to the (Humboldt County) District Attorney’s office who could issue a warrant or issue charges against him. At that point in time, if there are outstanding criminal charges, then she will request the jail to arrange for transportation of Keener from Utah jail to our jail.”
Honsal could not confirm a specific date when Keener would be transported back to California.
Johnson and Keener were arrested on Feb. 11 — the day after 40-yearold Nikki Dion Metcalf, 40-year-old Margarett Lee Moon and 16-year-old Shelly Autumn Mae Moon were killed — while traveling through Tooele County, Utah, en route to Indiana.
Honsal said Keener and Johnson were in the same vehicle while Johnson’s mother, Melissa Sanchez-Johnson, drove a second vehicle. SanchezJohnson was detained by Tooele County law enforcement but was not charged. Keener is believed to be a family friend of Johnson.
Honsal urged anyone with information about this case to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.