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The Hickory Ridge Farm History -- IC PORTION BEGINS HERE -- (The following portion up until the indicated divider can and may be used on the server by any characters, since all of this is publicly available information for any characters.) The Hickory Ridge Farm is located next to Palomino Creek, and traces its history back many decades. The Ridge, as the locals call it, has a long-standing history and lore within the community of Palomino Creek. Back in the 1960s, 70s, this farm was a symbol of defiance and rebellion against the United States government and its wartime plans. According to local legends, the farm at the time, was owned by an elderly couple, who went above and beyond by deciding to house hippies and anyone who felt "undesirable" such as draft dodgers. The couple, who were very involved in the Civil Rights Movement, put a lot of effort into attracting anyone who opposed the Vietnam War and wanted to avoid fighting a war they didn't want. Word quickly spread around the entire country, they had guests coming from all over the continental United States, like the Midwest, even from urban centers like New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Portland. Most of these individuals were leftist progressives, but they welcomed anybody who shared their view of wanting peace, the farm had this motto of "Everyone's Welcome". The locals of Palomino Creek, had no issues with the people newly moving in, as they mostly kept to themselves, and even contributed to the local economy, as the towns within Red County have been struggling, due to the pull of Los Santos attracting workers and anyone seeking opportunities. This farm at one point housed hundreds of people, all living on this farm, some in barns, shacks, small cabins or trailers. It was a self-sustaining homestead for the most part, the members of the community only shopping in the local store for essentials they couldn't produce at the farm. Still, the amount of people living there brought a significant buying force. The Peak of The Ridge The Hickory Ridge Farm had its peak after the Selective Service Draft was announced from 1963 all the way through 1973. Another year that brought significant draft dodgers was after December 1, 1969, when Draft Lottery was instituted. During New Year's Eve, 1973, there were hopes that things will turn around, which soon happened. January 27, 1973, when the U.S. ended conscription and transitioned to an all-volunteer military. This caused many residents at The Ridge to move back home. The number of inhabitants fell significantly, but the population was still significant. Trade workers and the popularity of The Ridge Farm inhabitants started doing contracted trade work, first around Palomino Creek, and later through word of mouth all over the county. In the early 1970s, they also started receiving substantial media attention, many news outlets even calling their farm a "leftist utopia". This popularity had its downfalls, as the conservative politicians within Red County began to take notice and they wanted this place shutdown. The conservative Sheriff of Red County at the time Sheriff Herschel McCready, a few mock nicknames by the community: Half-Brain Hersh, Hogtie Hersh, Hersh the Headcase, but the most common: Hersh the Harasser. He harassed everybody, he was mean, abusive, and tried to find any reason to give a ticket or arrest someone. Never using his judgment to be lenient, and many times provoking incidents, and just going after people for seemingly no reason. Events at The Hickory Ridge Farm The Ridge during its popularity started organizing different events at their farm. Farmer's Markets, Fishing Competitions at the river leading into Fisher's Lagoon (as The Ridge has a waterfront), they even made a water slide from the top of The Ridge leading into the water. These events became so popular, that later it attracted not only local residents of Palomino Creek, but other parts of the County as well as Los Santos itself. 1973 Red County Fair This popularity reached the County's Council, due to the popularity they marked the 1973 Red County Fair's location to be The Hickory Ridge Farm. The fair lasted from: July 1st to July 8th, 1973. State of San Andreas v. The Hickory Ridge Farm (1973) The conservative politicians living around the area set up a meeting with Sheriff Herschel McCready, convincing him to go after The Hickory Ridge Farm and find a reason to shut it down. For a longtime, the Sheriff and his team were constantly harassing the innocent farm workers, never finding anything, but leaving a mess. Sheriff's popularity began to dip after the locals got wind of his shenanigans. People started talking. There were rumors of rape, excessive force claims, as well as suspects disappearing. McCready previously served in the City of Los Santos Police Department for decades. Having significant influence on the streets of Los Santos, connections, informants, he quickly got to work. He approached his former informant, Miguel "Mikey" Salazar (later known as Co-Conspirator #1), a known gang affiliate of the S/S Varrio 13 in El Corona. Sheriff McCready had a case file on him, enough for a felony warrant that could make him serve years in prison. He threatened Salazar into a conspiracy to plant evidence at The Hickory Ridge Farm. Salazar complied. McCready had an acquaintance, a supervisor (Co-Conspirator #2) at the Los Santos Police Department Evidence Warehouse. McCready bribed the supervisor with money he received from conservative local politicians. The two fabricated documents on the transfer of narcotics out of the facility. McCready had known a young female (Co-Conspirator #3), who was his informant and as well as a prostitute. McCready persuaded her to seduce a young beat cop, just starting his own patrols. Co-Conspirator #3 seduced the young beat cop, the two performed sexual acts in the patrol car, which McCready photographed. Later, he threatened the cop with releasing the photos to the press, essentially blackmailing him to comply, beat cop is later referred to in court documents as Co-Conspirator #4. Sheriff McCready facilitated this operation, CC-#4 heads to the Evidence Warehouse to pick up the narcotics from CC-#2, heads out on his beat in El Corona, handing the package to CC-#1 who plants that evidence at the 1973 Red County Fair organized at The Hickory Ridge Farm. After the evidence was planted, Sheriff McCready decided not to use his own police force to go after the farmers, but created a bogus case file, transferred it to the Los Santos Police Department Gang Unit, to a newly formed unit named CRASH Gang Unit (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums). CRASH was full of officers he had known and worked with personally, many of whom he was friends with. A lot of these officers were known to use brutal methods against citizens. McCready presented a convincing case that residents of The Hickory Ridge Farm are responsible for: growing marijuana, as well as for the manufacturing and distribution of narcotics, such as crack, cocaine. He also alleged that The Hickory Ridge Farm supplies these narcotics to violent street gangs across Los Santos. CRASH took this case to the higher leadership of the LSPD which approved the operation. However, due to the 1973 Red County Fair lasting from July 1st to July 8th, they decided to put the operation on the following week. LSPD, CRASH, SWAT raids The Hickory Ridge Farm on July 9th, in the middle of the night finding the substances where Sheriff McCready told them. In the case of San Andreas vs. The Hickory Ridge Farm a total of 15 defendants were indicted on multiple counts on Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute, Equipment/Paraphernalia Charges, Conspiracy, Obstruction, Endangering Public Safety. Summer of 1973, The Ridge only had around 100 residents, sharp drop since January of the same year, losing nearly half of its residents. Ű Verdict: All of the defendants charged were found guilty in the court of law. AFFIDAVIT: FBI OPERATION IN EL CORONA - MIGUEL "MIKEY" SALAZAR IN FEDERAL CUSTODY Miguel "Mikey" Salazar a member of the S/S Varrio 13 was arrested in May, 1975 during a multi-agency operation targeting heroin and cocaine distribution tied to Mexican-American street gangs. coordinated and spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Salazar was found with: Distribution-level narcotics Stolen firearms Ledgers connecting him to multiple felonies Pending state warrants He was facing 20–30 years federal time + state charges. “Queen for a Day” Proffer Agreement (June 1975) Salazar met with: FBI Los Santos Field Office DEA Group 12 (LS Basin) Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) John L. Messer of the Central District of San Andreas Under USDOJ proffer rules, Salazar was granted: Use immunity for all statements made Transactional immunity for all conduct prior to the meeting Federal protection as Co-Conspirator #1 Salazar’s Bombshell Statement He disclosed: The drugs at Hickory Ridge Farm were planted at the direction of Sheriff Herschel McCready. McCready coerced Salazar to transport the narcotics. A corrupt LSPD Evidence Unit Officer supplied them. A second LSPD officer transported evidence to Salazar in El Corona. CRASH submitted false affidavits, knowing the evidence was tainted. McCready used the fabricated raid to advance his career and eliminate the “hippie commune.” This became the basis for federal civil rights charges, obstruction charges, and evidence-tampering counts. 1975 — Federal Grand Jury Indictment UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HERSCHEL WAYNE MCCREADY Indictment No. 75-CR-1182-MW AFFIDAVIT: SHERIFF ARRESTED, RELEASED ON BOND, DISAPPEARS McCready was arrested in August, 1975, he was released on bond, but was ordered to remain in Red County under supervision. He was scheduled for trial in February, 1976. He disappeared in late 1976, during the winter, he failed the appear for a pre-trial status conference. A bench warrant was issued immediately. In early 1977, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Division classified him as a Federal Fugitive. MOST WANTED FUGITIVE LISTING (1977) McCready was placed on the Most Wanted Fugitive Listing in January, 1977. While not in the Top Ten, he was placed on a regional Most Wanted Fugitive Bulletin. MULTI-AGENCY MANHUNT (1977-1979) U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE BULLETIN Agencies involved: Federal U.S. Marshals Service (Lead Agency) Western District of San Andreas Fugitive Task Force FBI – Los Santos Resident Agency DEA – Group 12 & Group 18 In case disappearance was tied to narcotics groups Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Due to weapon trafficking leads San Andreas Highway Patrol (SHP) State Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCII) California Department of Justice – Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Local Red County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) Montgomery Police Department (MPD) Palomino Creek Police Department (PCPD) Palomino Creek Sheriff Substation Scope of the manhunt Nationwide BOLO distribution Interviews with former deputies, relatives, extremists, and outlaw motorcycle gangs Multiple false sightings along Route 68 and in Tierra Robada Searches of cabins, trailers, motels, and abandoned farms Fingerprint requests sent across western states No confirmed sightings. DRUGHOUSE BUSTED ON FERN RIDGE BY MONTGOMERY POLICE DEPARTMENT & RED COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (1979) September 1979 City of Montgomery Police Department and the Red County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a known drug house on Fern Ridge. During a grid search of the property perimeter, deputies discovered: A decomposed male body Wrapped loosely in a canvas tarp Approximately 100 yards from the structure in a wooded area Later identified via dental records as Herschel Wayne McCready Residents’ Statements The house occupants stated they: Had no knowledge of the body Had seen “transients” around the ridge earlier in the year Believed animals may have dragged the remains They were arrested only on misdemeanor narcotics charges. Medical Examiner’s Conclusion Red County Medical Examiner (Montgomery Office): Time of death: Likely 1–2 years earlier Manner: Undetermined No identifiable cause due to decomposition No bullet fragments found No major fractures visible Person of Interest A Montgomery man later contacted investigators alleging: McCready had raped his daughter some years earlier The daughter gave a victim’s statement Insufficient evidence to file charges He was never arrested MONTGOMERY SENTINEL ARTICLE OUTCOME FOR THE HICKORY RIDGE FARM Federal Intervention and Legal Overturnings (1976–1978) Between 1976 and 1978, attorneys for the Hickory Ridge defendants filed: Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus Motions for New Trial (Penal Code §1181) Brady Violations Claims Motions to Vacate Judgment Due to Fraud on the Court Federal prosecutors submitted sealed evidence to the courts confirming the fabrication scheme. By mid-1977: 13 of the 15 convictions were vacated outright 2 were reversed and remanded, and later dismissed Several defendants had already served full sentences; others were released immediately. The State of San Andreas declined to re-file any charges. In late 1978, the State issued formal findings acknowledging: systemic misconduct falsified warrants and unconstitutional deprivation of rights LAWSUIT FILED BY HICKORY RIDGE RESIDENTS The Hickory Ridge Farm plaintiffs were fully exonerated, with convictions vacated. They received financial settlements ranging from $12,000 to $95,000 each for wrongful imprisonment and civil rights violations, plus attorneys’ fees awarded under federal law. Red County and Los Santos contributed to the payouts, though no surviving officials faced criminal charges. AFTERMATH After McCready was found deceased, the federal case against him was officially dismissed in 1979. This closed a huge wound that was haunting Red County the past few years, and the 1980s brought much happier circumstances. The Hickory Ridge Farm still remained populated, it was undefeated in the face of tyranny and systemic injustice. Throughout the 1980s, and the 1990s, The Hickory Ridge only hosted a few dozen people, and was slowly declining. They still contributed to the local economy, hosting events, and fairs. The original owners have abandoned all ties to the Ridge during and after the persecutions. During the late 80s, 90s, population loss was more visible and by the end of the 90s, the Red County Assessor’s Office officially listed Hickory Ridge Farm as uninhabited, marking the end of an era for the historic community -- IC PORTION ENDS HERE -- -- OOC PORTION BEGINS HERE -- Mission Statement The purpose of the Hickory Ridge faction is to bring life to Red County and its surrounding towns by portraying realistic, day-to-day life on a farm in Palomino Creek. This faction is strictly legal; any illegal activities are not sanctioned by leadership. The only in-character exception may be moonshining or other gray-area activities, provided they do not break IC laws or server rules. Our goal is to depict rural life as accurately as possible, without mocking, goofing, or shaming anyone or anything. Members are encouraged to explore real-life struggles, character archetypes, and story arcs, as long as all roleplay is respectful and follows LS-RP rules. We strive for high-quality, character-driven, heavy-text roleplay. This faction focuses on everyday life, not gang-style or illegal faction action. We take inspiration from real-life rural, “redneck” living—not as a derogatory term, but to describe hard-working men and women facing tough conditions outdoors. WE ARE NOT A WHITE SUPREMACY FACTION, WE REJECT RACISM, HOMOPHOBY IN ALL SHAPE AND FORM. WE WELCOME EVERYONE. <3 You may portray flawed people, including highly-flawed people, as many people living in rural areas suffer from deep poverty, disabilities, not having access to physical & mental healthcare services. Any form of mockery is prohibited. We also strive to use regional dialects all over the United States (depending on character's origins), to bring more flavor to our roleplay. Southern Drawl, Midwest Accents, different words, overemphasized words, trying to use as many of these words to create more flavorful and interesting conversations. Beyond portrayal of daily chores around the farm, we also want to interact with players from different areas on the server. Providing services as skilled tradespeople (roofing, plumbing, mechanic, drywall, etc.). Events to involve more players in Red County are also on the priority list of this faction, events, such as: Farmer's Markets, County Fair. We expect the absolute highest standards from any and all of our members and in return we offer a colorful roleplay experience. Character Driven Expectations Strong emphasis is placed on character driven roleplay. We are portraying people, not avatars. It is highly encouraged to try to live through your character and shape your decisions from their point-of-view and not by the player's. These people have real flaws, some have been combat veterans, meth addicts, alcoholics (maybe they lost teeth, have medical problems, take medications daily), or others became disillusioned with city life and want a break from all the noise. Have a story that you can stick to, and don't reveal it all at once, let it flow naturally. We also encourage you to bring characters who are from Los Santos, and have no idea about rural life. We have our own framework for which we expect rural roleplay, and it's best if you build your character from the ground up. While we don't have a specific age limit, we recommend you to bring younger adult characters, as they will start their career from doing the dirtiest, most grueling and sometimes most pointless jobs, which aims to build character. You will have the opportunity to age-up later if you so desire. You may bring male, female, black, white, doesn't matter. All characters start from zero. Regarding Family Play Family play is welcome, but you can only do so once faction leadership has evaluated your skills and deemed them to be adequate for our standards. Structure Our faction is highly structured, hierarchical, with lots of ranks, but it has a clear purpose. We have clear-cut expectations for everyone. The way leadership behaves towards newcomers is way different than old-timers, and it has a reason. Trust. The longer you've been known, the more we trust you, and the more responsibilities you may get. We also have a vast number of honorary ranks which you can earn, that can fit your character. Structure is beneficial because we communicate things clearly, and all expectations are there. No second-guessing. No miscommunication. Age ups are an OPTIONAL feature in the faction. It is absolutely not mandatory to age your character. But in order for you to be able to do so, you must get permission from higher ranking members. Older/higher ranking members get a lot of respect, people look to them for advice and guidance. They tell stories, etc. Rules - You must be respectful to people OOC, bullying, name-calling, shaming is forbidden. - You must follow all of LS-RP's rules IC and OOC. - You must not receive administrative punishments (all of these are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, some result in strikes, others instant kick). - Rulebreakers are awarded strikes, after 3 strikes, you are kicked from the faction. (you may only be allowed back if you demonstrate significant change). - You must not have had a ban in the last 2 months or admin jails in the last month. (evaluated on a case-by-case basis). - Harassments of any types are prohibited, you get kicked from the faction. - Faction leadership has the right to put you on a blacklist for any reason. - Ability to have fun :) (Rules are subject to change at any time, not knowing the rules does not exempt you from any punishments). Last edited: 11/16/2025 10:00 PM CET (server time). Expectations: - You must contribute to the faction by posting screens on this forum thread (after approved by faction leadership on Discord). - You must have a good written understanding of the English language (punctuations included). - You must be at least familiar with roleplay rules (we welcome everybody, but only if you demonstrate willingness to learn). - Usage of Discord (microphone NOT REQUIRED, we only ask this for faction communications). - Character-driven roleplay is mandatory. - It is expected of you to roleplay thoroughly, cleanly and concisely (we can teach you this). HOW DO I JOIN? If you wish to join the faction, you need to contact @NevadaUSA on the forum in PM or by Discord PM: @theofficialnevada This is required because the farm is technically private property, you cannot just show up there unannounced. You may also find fliers, phone numbers, or advertisements. By contacting me, we can go over a few details on your story, background and how you will find a job listing from us (Craigslist, etc.). I can also help you give you some advice on how to shape your character.