Redwood Valley Man Arrested on Grand Theft & Financial Elder Abuse Allegations
REDWOOD VALLEY, CA — “On 08/06/2026 at approximately 10:30 P.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the 1000 block of Redwood Drive in Redwood Valley to assist Howard Forrest medical personnel with a report of a subject in possession of a knife.
Deputies learned a male subject, later determined to be the 77-year-old victim of this case, confronted James Hoffman after discovering Hoffman had been making unauthorized purchases using the victim’s credit card dating back to 2024. Medical personnel and the Sheriff’s Office responded when Hoffman reportedly armed himself with a knife and locked himself inside a bedroom at the residence.
Hoffman and the victim resided together, and the victim provided Hoffman with limited access to his financial accounts for the purpose of paying authorized household expenses.
A review of the victim’s financial records identified numerous transactions outside the scope of Hoffman’s authorization to pay household expenses.
Hoffman was locked inside a bedroom at the residence and ultimately surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Based on the investigation and financial records reviewed, Sheriff’s Deputies developed probable cause to believe Hoffman knowingly used the victim’s financial accounts for unauthorized personal transactions. Hoffman was ultimately arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail for 368(d) PC – Financial Elder Abuse, 487(a) PC – Grand theft, and 503 PC – Embezzlement. Hoffman was transported and booked into the Mendocino County Jail and later released from custody after posting $25,000 bail.
Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.”
