Hillman Family Woes

By Barry R. Clausen – November 7, 2007

According to Siskiyou County Superior Court records, on October 23, 2007 Grant “Ike” Hillman of Orleans was booked into the Siskiyou County Jail on numerous drug charges. Harold Wendell Mitchell Jr. was cited and released.

During a routine patrol, Officer Van Baren of the Siskiyou County Sheriff Department noticed a well marked Karuk Tribal vehicle parked on Sawyers Bar Road at Mile Post 3. The two occupants appeared to put something under the front seat when they noticed the officer approaching. Feeling that their behavior was suspicious the officer confronted the occupants

According to Sheriff Department reports, there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle when the officer approached. This gave the officer just cause for a search.

A small amount of marijuana was found in the possession of Mitchell.  Because of the larger amounts of different drugs in Hillman’s possession he was arrested. The charges are, possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic substance and possession of concentrated cannabis. Mitchell and Hillman are both Tribal employees with the Department of Natural Resources in Orleans.

On November 5, 2007 Hillman represented himself in Siskiyou County Superior Court and posted a $15,000 surety bond.

This incident follows the arrest of his father Leaf Hillman the Vice Chairman of the Karuk Tribal Council. The elder Hillman is also from Orleans and was arrested on August 21, 2007 for the alleged assault on Mollie White. His charges include inflicting corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant, domestic violence and special allegation of using a deadly weapon.

The senior Hillman posted $35,000 bail on his charges. He appeared in Siskiyou County Superior Court in Yreka on November 7, 2007. A future appearance was scheduled for December 19, 2007.