When I first set out to write about Lear Asset Management and their footprint in the Emerald Triangle, I figured I’d run into the usual hurdles — chasing down sources, double-checking facts, and keeping things fair. But this story took me deeper than I expected. To get the full picture, I interviewed two tree sitters, corroborated their claims with photos and video, and spoke with an elected official. My editor had legal worries about what the activists were saying, so I had to pump the brakes, go over everything with a fine-tooth comb, and make sure their stories held water. In the end, all that extra legwork only made the piece stronger.
One thing that stuck with me was just how little oversight there is when it comes to private security outfits operating in these legal gray zones. Lear Asset Management is a prime example of a growing problem—companies that can detain, intimidate, and surveil people but don’t have to follow the same rules as public law enforcement. That should make anyone uneasy. Unlike cops, these firms don’t have to answer to the public, don’t wear body cams, and don’t face the same consequences when they cross a line. So, who’s keeping an eye on them?
Maybe the most jarring part of all this was how commonplace Lear’s presence had become in the Emerald Triangle. While folks were up in arms over their actions in Idaho, here in Northern California, their military-style tactics were business as usual. For years, they’ve been out in the woods, at cannabis farms, and squaring off against environmental activists—often without much noise beyond activist circles. Seeing the stark contrast in reactions made me realize just how used to this kind of thing people around here had gotten. When private security rolling up in tactical gear starts to feel normal, that’s worth thinking about.
Read more about Lear Asset Management and their history in Mendocino and Humboldt County here.
Hi Matt. While I understand the concerns and assessments in this article, you interviewed hippies and a politician. Sure, there’s history to recount, but the reporting was inadvertently biased. You could have reached out to Lear. Sure, they would likely blow off the inquiry. However, there is a lot missing here. Like why these guys are here, how they justify and fund operations, what agency requested their help, and are any local dollars being used? This is a great start at exposing a less than transparent issue, but fails to offer the reader any leads to offer objection or oversight. Can you follow up on this article, please? Love your reporting. I’m a daily reader.
Hey Tom-
Appreciate your feedback and your daily readership—it means a lot. Just to clarify, I did reach out to Lear for comment and was told they weren’t interested in providing a statement. I agree there’s more to dig into, and I’ll keep pushing for answers. If you have any leads, I’m all ears.
Thanks for reading.
Hey, Tom I called Mr. Lafever yesterday and spoke to him about local topics, but now he is not allowing me to comment on your thread. Not sure why, mr lafever is not letting me comment now.i guess its moderation.im mean censorship.Guess it doesnt match their mendofever narrative.
Our automated filter snagged your comments—it’s a bit overzealous sometimes. Nothing personal, and definitely not censorship.
Hey Matt,
Another point to make with all due respect is who owns the land?
I’m guessing the hippie interlopers are not paying the taxes on this land and furthermore are harming the property with their endeavors. if it was your property, how would you view/handle the matter?
I get the property rights argument, but America has a long history of civil disobedience driving real change. Unions fought off private enforcers to win the 40-hour workweek—activists standing their ground today aren’t so different.
And when a company owns hundreds of thousands of acres, ceding a tree here and there instead of deploying a private army seems like the smarter move. Meeting activism with force just escalates the fight.
3 years ago a bunch of lear guys came into my store. We spoke for along time. Stories can be only stories but if True they definitely walk the line on tactics. I think their return is a indicator that crime is on riseagain……and should be a warning to those to watch where they go and who they f with.
So, these guys are the new cops? Private crime fighters with no public accountability? It’s not an indicator of rising crime it’s a sign that these bad apples will crawl back here for the easy money and bro culture they love. They have a great relationship with local LEOs regardless of what disgraced former sheriff Allman said about them being sketchy characters.
Don’t think they are sketchy…whatever needed to take trash out of area. I would tend to believe they are private hires by growers and not intimidated to be hired by them either. I also believe it is a indicator crime on rise if after 3 or 4 years they are again contacting private expensive security for protection.
My comments don’t even make it. Not using this site anymore.
Dang
The US has been deploying private armies across the planet for decades so is it really surprise they start showing up in our own backyard? This is literally a situation of when chickens come home to roost…self reflection is still pending…
Excellent article !
I’ll be waiting for the “ other side of the coin” where you tell about their story
My editor used to tell me when he was trashing my copy
Both sides Dave
YouMUST HAVE Both sides Dave , otherwise who’s going to think you are fair and neutral ?
One sided = mis information
All sides = journalism
Dave Ob
Bravo, sir, I reached out to Matt but he’s not interested in getting outside his one sided story, nor examining our side with the facts only his biased journalistic opinion matters. He should look at our credentials and licensing.learasset.com. and the wide and broad accountability We have through California business and professions. the myriad of background checks and psychological tests we have to take ,the Bureau of security and investigative services consumer affairs. Take a look at our website, mister lafever and see our credentials.By the way, we are post.Certified from the california department of justice. Maybe you should do some more homework Mr. Lafever. Before you make incorrect statements
Your laundry list of certifications doesn’t mask the reality of Lear Asset Management’s operations. Brandishing credentials while engaging in aggressive, militarized tactics raises serious questions about your firm’s ethical compass. Regulatory compliance is one thing; public accountability is another.
I reached out to you while researching this piece, offering a chance to present your side. You chose silence. Now, after publication, you’re crying foul over a lack of representation? Your sudden outrage rings hollow. If you wanted your perspective included, perhaps you should have spoken up when given the opportunity.
What kind of tactics do you propose to use against many of the criminal elements that we deal with, such as Earth liberation front who is on the domestic terrorist watch list,and organized crime groups? Should we wear sandals and flip-flops? We are always professional and assess client needs and threats for consideration we follow the law. Our clients are very pleased with the results. It is rare that I say anything to the media because of being misrepresented oftentimes .I will leave it at that thank you
Bingo Paul you nailed it!
Birkenstock sandals and I would add Wavy Gravy style tie dyed uniforms,
Shades of the Greenfield Ranch tie dyed militia from the heady days of old.
Back in 2014 mendocino county sheriff got a helicopter abd some deputies from the department of justice and conducted some Marijuana raids that were probably illegal,
They didn’t provide identification, didn’t have warrants and cut down some legal medical Marijuana gardens. Since they appeared to be vigilantes or a private company people said it was Lear asset management. At this point Mendocino county Sherriff did not take responsibility for the raids.
There was a community meeting in Laytonville where Tom Allman showed up to talk about Marijuana raids but not take responsibility for the raids, he treated people like they were stupid and told them they should have asked for identification and got tail numbers of the helicopters. He claimed his office always provides identification and his officers are clearly marked, he said it could have been different government agency.
Someone actually did get a tail number of the helicopter and did a public records request, turns out it was a department of justice helicopter used by the Mendocino County Sheriff, with Sherriff Tom Allman in charge.
At this point Mendocino county Sheriff issues a press release taking responsibility for “some raids” but not for his deputies acting outside of the law.
I am definitely not defending Lear but Mendocino county Sherriff has a cloudy history also.
Here are some articles about the whole story in 20q4
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/general-news/20140906/sheriff-speaks-on-marijuana-law-raid-rumors-in-laytonville/
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/mysterious-men-dropping-from-helicopters-to-chop-down-norcal-marijuana-grows-mendocino-county-lear-asset-management/
https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/the-states-mystery-men-swoop-in-cops-answering-to-cas-attorney-general-are-the-marijuana/article_18ea26cc-070b-5572-87d3-df105ff80d07.html
Whats interesting is this entire conversation happens, because drug growing has become the business. Not food to substain healthy bodies. Not manufacturing of necessity items. But drugs. Promoting and legalization of drugs is the problem. I know not one person will agree with me. You can judge…investigate and see enemies everywhere. But once a society enbraces drug money normalization, the entire area, becomes a target, for theives and nasty sorts. Once the Journal posted a few pages of missing forgotten (later found out murdered) citizens, about the death surrounding the illegal drug enterprises. Sadly, the fact this company is back, is the proof. When messing with chemical body altering products, getting high stuff, not only does weed grow, but crime grows too. Mendocino County made it’s own bed. Now it has to sleep with the enemies. Instead of natural highs, people choose to smoke injest & escape with a weed. Weed is just a plant…but people are so wanting to escape, they are obsessed with it. Willing to protect it with guns & such. That should scare us more.
Nancy Reagan’s carcass stirs in excitement over this comment
Where’s my reply post to dave ob Mr. Lafever? don’t you want both sides.
California and all BLUE areas resemble MAD MAX lands. You need to always be armed and trained. My family has been always.
Remember this, Mr. Lafever, when you’re tucked in your warm little cubicle behind your computer with your wube, Afraid to defend your community, even in the midst of being sued or killed.,or having everything taken from you because you’re doing the right thing. This is what America lacks today. It’s just like Theodore Roosevelt said, it’s not the critic. Who counts? It’s the one who’s in the arena, not with paper and pen, but with blood sweat and tears.
Just put “SECURITY” in 4 inch letters on the uniforms and don’t let your guys go hands on with women in a public place when actual deputies are available, man. Have fun with your 1983 civil rights lawsuit.
You must have not read the story. The sheriff directed the security company. That’s a lawful order from a sheriff. If you violate a lawful order to help law enforcement, it’s a crime. That’s why you need to know the law. Instead of giving opinions that are based out of that thin air. Oh By the way, civil rights don’t give you the right to disturb the peace. That’s also a crime, you should bone up on law
It’s rich that you claim vast legal knowledge when your own firm’s adherence to a “lawful order” resulted in the revocation of your credentials in Idaho . Perhaps a refresher on Idaho’s regulations governing security conduct is in order.
Can’t comment but it’s definitely not the end of the story. Stay tuned.
An old proverb says the first to plead his case seems just,
but another then comes and examines him
Definitely, not over yet. You seem to only see the beginning of a matter. You’ve heard one side of this story and fail to understand there is another. That’s not journalism my friend
You’re lecturing me on journalism ethics when your own credentials were revoked for blindly following a “lawful order”?
Perhaps if you’d applied critical thinking then, you’d understand the importance of examining all sides of a story now.
You lost your license to operate in the city buddy. Cry to the federal district judge.
You should research Unlawful order
If the Sherriff orders you to kill someone will you do it?
Oh, spare me the theatrics. Your attempt to paint me as some desk-bound keyboard warrior sipping lattes is as original as a rerun.
Maybe next time, instead of channeling your inner action hero, you could focus on addressing the concerns raised about your company’s practices. After all, actions speak louder than grandiose speeches.
Remember, Theodore Roosevelt’s “man in the arena” isn’t just about being in the field; it’s about doing so with integrity and accountability. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on that.
This company had their contract revoked after the Idaho debacle because they didn’t follow the requirement that their employees have “security” printed in bold letters on their uniforms. So the sheriff there has black clad unidentified dudes grabbing a lady out of her chair instead of actual deputies- the only people who should be going hands on- doing compliance grips on her. Now after being humiliated in Idaho and probably facing backlash in other places because the situation looked so bad this rogue outfit returns to home turf to find work doing what they love best- unaccountable, behind the scenes and out of public view.
I guess you forgot to watch the video. Where the moderator told people there was security in the house. I guess you missed that part. Funny how that works
Tell the federal judge. I’m sure it’ll help. I’m sure your lawyer is loving you popping off here. Good luck.
This is old stuff around here.No worries. Matt seems to like to bring up things that are like years old
Like I said, there’s more to the story about the licensing, it’s in appeal. Good fun debate Thanks for all the comments TBD.
That lady sitting down in the audience appeared to be really scary ?
Your agency handled that situation very poorly, she asked very clearly for the guys to identify themselves and they did not.
That was not professional at all.
Very poorly, let’s see you handle it armchair, quarterback
With that answer it’s obvious you shouldn’t be running a security business, I wasn’t handling it you were.
It’s your responsibility to follow the law.
I have been checked out by some of the Lear crew more than once while out in the woods. They don’t really look any more intimidating than MCSO deputies do on a pot raid, and the Lear guys have been professional and courteous in my experience.
It is disappointing to see Mr Lefever, who refers to himself as a journalist, take such personal offense to any criticism. I have seen Mr Lefever immediately respond angrily and insultingly to constructive criticism many times on this comment section, not just this dismaying back-and-forth with Mr Trouette. Meanwhile, it took years for the racism and general vitriol to finally be moderated here in the comments. If your skin is so thin maybe you should take a step back from operations, Mr Lefever. It’s not a good look for your business.
I will add my opinion that Matt’s attempts to paint himself as a longtime “local” and an “avid outdoorsman” come up short. I am usually pretty wary of people who try to boost their value by making such claims, and I’m not the only one who remembers that Mr lefever can’t seem to tell the difference between a fox and a mountain lion. And so what if you lived in Arcata “almost 20 years ago”? You can post all the selfies you want of yourself in cowboy attire or “climbing” Mt Shasta, but it doesn’t change the facts. In my opinion, matt, you’re still a new kid on the block. Time will tell if your fidelity to this community is true, or if you move on to “greener pastures”.
This post shouldn’t be taken as a personal attack just because you disagree with my opinion. Thanks,
MB out
Framing something as “constructive criticism” doesn’t automatically make it constructive or in good faith.
You’re entitled to your opinion, but let’s be clear—disagreement isn’t the same as thin skin. I engage with criticism when it’s made in good faith, but I also push back when it’s laced with condescension or bad-faith assumptions.
As for the rest—whether I’m “local enough” or an “avid outdoorsman” is subjective, but my work stands on its own. If the reporting is inaccurate, I welcome corrections. If it simply challenges a preferred narrative, that’s not the same as being wrong.
Thanks for reading.
It seems you’re guilty of making your own bad-faith assumptions at times.
You have made a personal issue out of legitimate criticism several times that I can recall, all the while ignoring the most vile comments directed at others. That is what I call thin skin: someone who feels the need to swiftly respond to every criticism directed at themselves while ignoring things like blatant racism and pure vitriol directed at other commenters.
And if your work truly stood on its own then you wouldn’t need the self-aggrandizing qualifiers at the bottom of every page.
Just my two pennies worth.
MB out
It seems that I touched a nerve with my first comment, as you’ve now placed me on moderation. Disappointing.
Ah, the classic move—frame your own jabs as “legitimate criticism” while deciding I’m not allowed to respond. Convenient.
And let’s be real: if you put as much effort into engaging with actual reporting as you do dissecting my bio, you might have a real point. But I guess it’s easier to critique the byline than the work itself.
As for your claim about being “placed on moderation,” all you had to do was press refresh. But I get it—why let facts get in the way of a good narrative?
“Let’s be real”? Who is coming off as condescending now? I was referring mostly to criticism offered to you by other commenters in the past. I believe this is the second article of yours that I’ve commented on, ever. So forgive me for missing out on the more technical details of how the comment section functions. On other sites being on moderation has more to do with the moderators decisions than someone clicking the refresh button.
I never said you shouldn’t respond to criticism, but perhaps you and your business could benefit from practicing more restraint in your comments. At some point it begins to reflect poorly on your work. Is that last sentence of yours a jab at me, or a Freudian slip? I guess if every differing opinion is a “jab” to you….. well, thin skin indeed.
MB done
You are fooling yourself. If you think you take objections well, your phone call with me yesterday proved that wrong. You were very upset and condescending. I don’t usually talk to people like that
I work on remote timber land in mendocino and humboldt and I will tell you Id rather run into Lear asset out there than a armed trespass grower. I think alot of people complaining here are the same people who complain about the sherriff taking out illegal marijuana gardens. What do they think about private armed security hired on to guard legal marijuana grows? Because that is a thing but noone complains about that. Criminals and the people who sympathize with them view any kind f enforcement whether it’s govt agency or private company as sworn enemies so the local backlash isn’t surprising