June 13, 2025 – Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that Detectives have arrested 29-year-old Joshua Timothy 
Holtzclaw for voluntary manslaughter that left another person dead while on the waters of the Moss Landing Harbor.
On June 11th, 2025, shortly before 9:00 A.M., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies & California State Parks Officers were notified of an incident in which two boats had collided. Witnesses reported seeing one boat operator climbing onto the other’s boat & a physical confrontation occurred. One subject was reported to have fallen into the water while the other assaulted him with a stick. Witnesses reported one of the involved parties, identified later as Joshua Timothy Holtzclaw, had exited the water with his boat.
Witnesses reported the second involved person, later identified as 26-year-old Trenten Paul Black of Aptos, had not exited the water & could no longer be seen. Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard & a SONAR device, were able to locate & recover his body from the harbor at about 1:20 P.M. A forensic examination will take place to determine Black’s cause of death.
Through the statements obtained, it was determined that a collision had occurred between boats being piloted by Holtzclaw & Black. Black boarded Holtzclaw’s boat & a physical altercation ensued between both. Black fell into the water. Witnesses stated it appeared Holtzclaw began striking Black with a stick. Black remained in the water & Holtzclaw left the area. A passing vessel attempted to rescue Black by tossing a life preserver, but they were unsuccessful.
Holtzclaw has been booked into the Monterey County Jail for one count of 192(a) PC, Voluntary Manslaughter. His bail has been set at $200,000.
If you have any information that may be related to this investigation, you are asked to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detective Josue Ramirez at 831-253-6068. You can remain anonymous when providing information.
Source: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office