Joshua Bryan Cooley - High-risk sex offender

Police are saying they have apprehended a high-risk sex offender who allegedly was partying with minors.

Joshua Bryan Cooley, 27, was busted near his house in the 3300 block of G Street Sunday at about 1:30 a.m.

In response to a complaint about loud noise at Cooley’s house, Eureka police officers arrived at the residence and broke up what they said was a large party.

“Upon further investigation, it was learned that the occupant of the house was a parolee and high-risk sex offender,” an EPD news release said. “Many of the partygoers at the house were 12- to 17-year-old teens with different levels of intoxication.”

Cooley and some teens fled as officers arrived. Soon after, the EPD called in the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in searching for Cooley. Not only that, but Cooley’s parole agent was also called in to help find the sex offender.

“The availability and willingness of the parole officer to assist our department with the search for the sex offender led to his apprehension,” said EPD Officer Louis Altic.

In fact, Cooley was wearing an ankle bracelet that allowed his parole officer to track his location. Cooley was found hiding in the backyard of a residence in the 3300 block of G Street.

He was arrested on a parole hold and on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of minors. He was booked into the Humboldt County jail in Eureka.

“It is important for parents to know where their children are — especially at night,” said EPD Public Information Officer Suzie Owsley. “The teens did not know the man they were partying with was a registered sex offender. Several of the teens drinking at the party were 12 and 13 years old and had no parental supervision.”