Suspect in 2009 Humboldt County Murder Case Arrested in Arizona

According to a  report written by Matt Hershey of the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Arizona, and released Friday, Sept. 17 by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, James Talley (39) was arrested on the morning of Thurs., Sept. 16. Talley who was arrested at a residence in the area of 48th Street and McDowell in Phoenix, Arizona was wanted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in Eureka, Calif. for allegedly bludgeoning to death a homeless man, David Earl Sanford (47) in Humboldt County, California on December 13, 2009.  Shortly after the murder it is believed that Talley fled from the Humboldt County area.  Recently, Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Northern District of California, Eureka Office and Detectives from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office developed information that Talley fled to the Phoenix metro area.  Acting on this information Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers from the Phoenix based Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force were able to locate and arrest Talley without incident.

United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of the Deputies and law enforcement officers adding, “The level of inter-agency cooperation exhibited during this fugitive investigation was second to none.  This resulted in the capture of a violent suspected murderer making the Valley a safer place.” The full-time federal, state, and local agencies that comprise the Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force include: U.S. Marshals Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Arizona Department of Public Safety; Mesa Police Department; Tempe Police Department; and several part-time state and local law enforcement agencies.The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency.  Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined.  For more information on other USMS 15 Most Wanted Fugitives and USMS Major cases, go to:  http://www.usmarshals.gov.
Additionally, although the suspect has been arrested, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.   Anyone with information about this case should call Sgt. Wayne Hanson at (707) 268-3639.
A photo of James Talley appears below: