Two Arrested on Litany of Charges Including Child Sex Abuse, Narcotics and Human Trafficking
Above: Michael Caleb Reed (L) and Pa Cheng (R)
Photos courtesy of HCSO
“On May 27, 2024, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SWAT Team, served a search warrant at a hotel located in the 100 block of 4th Street in Eureka, and arrest warrants on Michael Caleb Reed (Age 39) and Pa Cheng (Age 32). After a multi-month investigation, the HCDTF gathered evidence that Reed and Cheng were traveling to southern California to purchase large quantities of narcotics. Reed and Cheng would transport the narcotics back to Humboldt County for the purpose of sales. Reed is a convicted felon and is currently on parole for felony evasion. Reed has a lengthy history of leading law enforcement on highspeed chases throughout the state of California, one of which resulted in a collision where a Eureka Police Officer was severely injured in 2020.
During the investigation, HCDTF Agents authored search warrants for Reed and Cheng’s social media accounts. Upon reviewing the data on Reed’s account, Agents discovered a video of Reed and Cheng having sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 16. Agents also discovered that Reed had distributed the video of him and Cheng having sexual intercourse with the minor, as well as other sexually explicit images/videos of the same minor to other individuals.
Upon reviewing the messages and data on both Reed and Cheng’s social media, Agents located evidence indicative of Reed and Cheng engaging in human trafficking and prostitution. It is believed that the victims observed on the social media accounts were also potential juveniles.
At 1730 hours, HCSO SWAT Operators and HCSO K9 Rex set up in a parking lot of a business located in the 100 block of 6th Street and awaited Reed and Cheng’s arrival on the Amtrak Bus. Once the bus arrived both Reed and Cheng were apprehended. Reed was in possession of several duffle bags. Inside the bags Agents located two ounces of cocaine, one ounce of heroin, one pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.
After Reed and Cheng were detained, Agents responded to their hotel room where they located a stolen handgun hidden in the wall, and more evidence indicative of human trafficking and prostitution.
Reed was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:
- PC 288.2(A)(2) – Showing/sending harmful material to seduce a minor
- PC 261.5(d) – Statutory rape of a minor
- PC 287(B)(2) – Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16
- PC 182(A)(1) – Conspiracy
- PC 311.11(a) – Possession of child pornography
- PC 30305(a) – Felon in possession of ammunition
- PC 25850(a) – Illegal possession of a firearm
- PC 29800(a) – Felon in possession of a firearm
- HS 11370.1(a) – Possession of a firearm with a controlled substance
- HS 11352(a) – Transportation of Narcotics
- HS 11352(B) – Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties
- HS 11351 – Possession for sales, narcotics
- HS 11379 (a) – Transportation of controlled substance
- HS 11379(b)- Transportation of controlled substance, noncontiguous counties
- HS 11378 – Possession for sales, controlled substance
The HCDTF will also be investigating additional charges for the stolen firearm located in Reed’s room, human trafficking, pimping, pandering, and distribution of child pornography.
Cheng was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where she was booked for the following charges:
- PC 287(B)(2) – Oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16
- HS 11352(a) – Transportation of narcotics
- HS 11352(B) – Transportation of narcotics, noncontiguous counties
- HS 11351 – Possession for sales, narcotics
- HS 11379 (a) – Transportation of controlled substance
- HS 11378 – Possession for sales, controlled substance
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has information about this case in regard to the victims of human trafficking please call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.”
