MENDOCINO CO., 5/9/26 — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a man from Booneville for alleged human trafficking for forced labor in connection to an illegal cannabis cultivation site in Navarro, the Sheriff’s Office said Friday. 

Investigators located an adult victim who reported being forced to live and work on the property for about two years without access to a bathroom and sufficient food. 

Jesse Upton, 43, was arrested May 4 after a search warrant was served on the property where the alleged crimes happened, according to the Sheriff’s Office. 

At the property, investigators documented significant environmental degradation including visible runoff pathways that could pollute the Navarro River watershed, according to the Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigators also allegedly found a butane honey-oil manufacturing laboratory along with 600 pounds of processed cannabis and 300 cannabis plants. 

The victim reported that Upton used force, fear, coercion and physical abuse, including assaults with weapons, to keep the victim from leaving the property. The victim was connected to support services through victim advocates, according to the Sheriff’s Office. 

The case is under investigation, and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at (707) 234-2100.