In February 2008, a County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team raid on a Dos Rios property led to the arrest of Kite Finds-the-feather and Amanda Wood on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale, child endangerment and being armed in the commission of a felony. They were released on bail and fled to Central America a few months later. A warrant was issued for their arrest and case remains active in Mendocino County pending their return.
In January 2013 the U.S. District Court of Northern California issued a federal indictment and arrest warrant for Finds-the-Feather and Wood. The three-count indictment charged the duo with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, manufacturing (i.e. cultivation) marijuana and maintaining a place for the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana. The court also initiated asset seizure proceedings for the Dos Rios properties.
In April 2014, Wood and Finds-the-Feather surrendered to federal marshals in Southern California. Wood has been released on bail and is now living in Redding with their three children and Finds-the-feather remains in federal detention awaiting trial.
In June 2014, the U.S. attorney offered to drop the charges against Wood if Feather pleaded guilty and agreed to serve two years in federal prison. At that time Feather agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial.
Several lawyers later and Feather is now seeking to have the evidence gathered against him tossed out by questioning the basis of the search warrant. No trial date has been set. The next hearing date is set for April 24.
It is unclear whether Feather and Wood will face state charges after the federal charges are resolved. The Mendocino County warrant remains active for the five felony counts and three firearm enhancements, according to Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster. No determination will be made on these charges until after the federal case concudes.
The 2008 Raid
COMMET led a multi-agency task force to raid a significant indoor pot grow at a Dos Rios ranch in the mountainous area above the confluence of Outlet Creek and the Eel River just after dawn on February 13. Agents seized 100 pounds of processed marijuana, $25,000 in cash, two pistols and seven rifles, and eradicated 5,275 pot plants from seedlings to mature plants in full bud during the raid. Property records indicate the property was assessed to Daniel Finds-the-feather in November 2001 but was assessed in August 2007 to Hunter Brands, Inc. with a listed address as a post office box registered to Kite Finds-the-feather and Wood.
Two main buildings at the ranch were used for growing plants, say police. One served as a starter room and processing room and the other as the main grow area. Generators powered 271 grow lights. There were two generators on site, a 400 and a 350 kilowatt unit, supplied by diesel stored in a plastic water tank. There was at least 25 gallons of waste oil at the scene.
This location first came to the attention of COMMET in October 1, 2007 when a large outdoor marijuana grow was spotted during a flyover by COMMET. A large camouflaged outbuilding was seen near the house which was suspected to be part of an indoor marijuana grow.
A follow up investigation resulted in another flyover on Jan. 17, 2008 and a night time walk around the property perimeter on Jan. 21, 2008. During the perimeter walk the officers could smell marijuana and hear the generators.
Based on this surveillance officers obtained a Mendocino County search warrant on Feb. 6 and served it on Feb. 13, 2008.
When law enforcement arrived they spotted numerous individuals running away from the area. Officers followed a Jeep driving away from the residence along a primitive track, through downed trees and over rough terrain with the three children ages 6, 5 and 2 riding unrestrained in the back
Agents caught up to the Jeep and found Feather, Wood and the children hiding in nearby bushes. Feather was wearing an empty holster and one of his kids told officers where the gun was hidden. A fully loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol was found covered with leaves within arm’s reach of where the group was hiding.
Agents also took five Mexican nationals into in custody. Several others escaped into the woods and were never apprehended. The captured men were determined to be illegal aliens and subsequently pleaded guilty to marijuana cultivation. They also told agents Feather was in charge of the marijuana operations and that they worked for him.
Information derived from police reports and court documents
