Posted in Felonies on July 26, 2014

Timothy C. Meagher, 57, has been found competent to stand trial in a Clark County arson case. He is accused of intentionally setting fire to the house he shared with his former boyfriend and is facing a charge of first-degree arson. The judge in his case made the competency order after receiving a report from Western State Hospital concluding that the defendant is competent. The trial is scheduled to start September 29. He is being represented by a Vancouver defense attorney.

Court records show that Meagher was upset after learning from an attorney that he would have to move out of the house after the couple broke up. His partner of 17 years, James L. Hansen, had owned the house before Meagher moved in and it was decided that he had the legal right to retain ownership.

Meagher seemed to focus on the destruction of Hansen’s most treasured possessions when he allegedly started four separate fires in the Sunnyside house. Gasoline was used to start the fires, two of which were lit on Hansen’s favorite recliner and an heirloom lace tablecloth that had belonged to his mother. No injuries were reported and damage to the home was estimated to be around $100,000. Meagher was seen entering the home by a neighbor and about an hour later the neighbor saw smoke around the eaves and called 911.

Meagher was arrested at a cabin in Cougar owned by his employer, which he did not have permission to be in. A neighbor called the authorities after seeing a suspicious vehicle parked in front of it.

Source: The Columbian, “Man ruled OK to stand trial in house fire,” Paris Achen, July 25, 2014.

The post Suspected Arsonist Found Competent to Stand Trial appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on July 29, 2014

Anthony Gilbert Ramirez, 22, was in Clark County Superior Court on accusations of possessing and dealing child pornography. The Vancouver man allegedly uploaded image files of minor girls engaging in sexually explicit acts, mostly with adult males, to Google servers. His arraignment is scheduled for August 8.

Ramirez is facing charges of two counts of first-degree possession of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and one count of second-degree possession of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; two counts of first-degree dealing of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and one count of second-degree dealing of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and two counts of first-degree viewing of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and one count of second-degree viewing of images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Ramirez is being held on $25,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend him.

A court affidavit states that Google Inc. reported the upload to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the report was passed on until it reached the Vancouver Police Department. A search warrant was obtained, allowing investigators to access subscriber information and content for Ramirez’s Google email address. Three images depicting minor girls aged 6, 8 and 12 engaging in sexual acts were found. An officer wrote in the court affidavit that Ramirez said he had intentionally saved the images to his email account so he could access them again later.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man accused of having and dealing child porn,” Paris Achen, July 28, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on August 5, 2014

Ian J. Cole, 21, has been sentenced in Clark County after being found at fault for the deaths of two people in a car crash near downtown Vancouver last fall. The Ridgefield man received 102 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and one count each of vehicular assault and hit-and-run death. His Vancouver defense attorney and prosecutors agreed to jointly recommend a sentence of more than eight years. He was given the maximum sentence for each charge.

Cole was driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana last November 17 with three passengers in his vehicle. Witnesses stated that he was driving between 60 and 70 mph and doing “doughnuts,” or 360-degree turns, in a 30 mph speed limit zone. He eventually lost control of the car and slammed into a power pole, which caused a power outage.

Two of the passengers, Jesse E. Orellano-Leister, 20, and Cole’s best friend, Benjamin Folk, 25, were killed. Orellano-Leister died at the scene and Folk was severely injured and died a day later while in the hospital. The third passenger, Maxwell Borders, 19, was injured but survived. Cole fled the scene of the accident on foot and called Folk’s girlfriend, Kate Locken, and asked her to come get him.

Cole apologized and asked for forgiveness in court, admitting that he made poor decisions and that he feels deep remorse.

Source: The Columbian, “Ridgefield man gets 8.5 years for fatal crash,” Paris Achen, August 5, 2014.

The post Ridgefield Man Sentenced for Vehicular Homicide appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 7, 2014

Austin Sullivan, 17, has been sentenced to two years confinement in a juvenile facility after pleading guilty to charges related to a high-speed chase in which he rammed several police vehicles. The Vancouver teenager accepted a plea deal that lead to one count of second-degree assault being dropped. He pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to second-degree assault, theft of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude.

A state trooper caught sight of Sullivan on July 2 driving a Kia Rio at over 110 mph. The vehicle had been pursued by Vancouver police shortly before the trooper saw it going northbound on Interstate 5 near Northeast 78^th Street. The trooper caught up to Sullivan south of the Interstate 205 split, and another trooper who had been working a nearby construction zone deployed stop sticks, which flattened all of the Kia’s tires. Sullivan kept driving at about 20 mph in spite of the damaged tires.

A third trooper joined the pursuit and used a driving maneuver to spin the Kia, causing it to stop facing south in northbound lanes. Sullivan drove south and rammed the trooper’s car. The Vancouver police officer who had pursued the Kia arrived at the scene and helped block the right lane to keep Sullivan from fleeing, and Sullivan then rammed his car as well. Sullivan then reversed and struck the car of another trooper that had pulled up behind him. The accused tried once more to pull forward, but was prevented from escaping by the Vancouver police vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

Sullivan had stolen a different car earlier that day and had been involved in a vehicle theft and pursuit on June 30. At the time of the July 2 incident, Sullivan was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court in May for a separate criminal case, in which he had crashed a vehicle into a residential fence while driving under the influence.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver teen gets two years for police chase,” Paris Achen, August 4, 2014.

The post Vancouver Teen Sentenced for Police Chase and Assault appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Family Law on August 8, 2014

A child custody and tribal sovereignty dispute has been settled in Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of an Interior tribal court in the Simmonds v. Parks case, which was contested by Governor Sean Parnell’s administration.

The case began six years ago as a custody dispute in Minto, a small village 130 miles northwest of Fairbanks. In May 2008 the Minto Tribal Court ruled to terminate the parental rights of Edward Parks and Bessie Stearman over their 6-month-old daughter after a social worker expressed concerns about possible domestic violence in the home. The tribal court took emergency, followed by permanent, custody of the child and sent her to a foster family, Stearman’s first cousin. Parks sued the foster family – the Simmonds – in Superior Court. The Superior Court judge found that the Minto Tribal Court had violated Parks’ constitutional right of due-process because his attorney was not given the chance to speak before the child was taken into custody.

The recent Alaska Supreme Court ruling reversed the lower court’s ruling, siding with the tribal court.  The Supreme Court argued that Parks should have contested the decision in the tribal court’s appeals court rather than suing in a state court. The Alaska Attorney General filed a brief in support of Parks during the Supreme Court Appeal, arguing that tribal court is not the proper venue to judge the parental rights of Parks, because Parks is not a member of the Native Village of Minto and has never lived in the community. He is a member of another Interior tribe, Stevens Village. Bessie Stearman is a part of the Minto tribe.

The case has served as a test of the tribal court’s authority to remove parental rights from a parent who is not a member of the tribe and while it may influence future disputes between tribal and state courts, Parks would not have won custody of his daughter. He was charged and convicted of felony assault and kidnapping for attacking Stearman in December 2011, and is currently serving a 59-year prison term.

For a Vancouver family law attorney, contact Nick Wood.

Source: News Miner, “Alaska Supreme Court sides with Interior tribe in child custody, sovereignty case,” Sam Friedman, July 18, 2014.

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Posted in Domestic Violence on August 10, 2014

Le Huang, 47, has been sentenced to 19 ½ years in prison for a domestic violence-related murder in Southeast Portland in April 2013. He was apparently enraged over the fact that his wife, Dixiang Huang, had called a divorce lawyer that day. The two were reportedly arguing over who would get custody of their young children.

Huang pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter constituting domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon. He admitted that he killed his wife, stabbing her in the face with scissors and strangling her.

The children, now ages 4 and 7, were not home when the murder occurred, but adult relatives found them in a different part of the house when they broke into Huangs’ bedroom and discovered the body. Relatives and co-workers had been concerned when Dixiang Huang did not show up to the restaurant she owned. Le Houang fled the state after the killing, and was arrested in Seattle three days later.

During previous settlement conferences Huang had said that he killed his wife, but appearing in Multnomah County Circuit Court he seemed reluctant to acknowledge his responsibility, saying that the violence had been committed by her and not him. He said that she was “very violent.” The prosecutor said that Huang’s guilty pleas represented a milestone in the negotiation process, but that it was disappointing and frustrating to once again hear him blame his wife for her own death. The prosecutor also said that Dixiang Huang had tried to fight her husband off, as evidenced by several gouges on Le Houang’s face, probably from his wife’s fingernails.

The day before the murder, Le Houang reportedly told a friend that the marriage was beyond saving and that he was upset because his wife wanted a divorce and custody of the children. His defense attorney said that during their first attorney-client meeting Houang had cried and said he was sorry for killing his wife.

Source: Oregon Live, “SE Portland man who fatally strangled wife — upset over divorce — gets nearly 20 years,” Aimee Green, July 14, 2014.

The post Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence-Related Killing appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Divorce and Family Law on August 11, 2014

Jessica Smith, accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter and cutting her 13-year-old daughter last week at a Cannon Beach, OR hotel, violated a restraining order by taking the children out of the Vancouver-Portland-metro area.

Smith and her estranged husband, Greg Smith, had been in the midst of divorce proceedings and a custody battle. Greg Smith filed for divorce on June 30. Some weeks later Jessica Smith filed a restraining order against him, saying that she feared for her safety and the safety of her daughters. The request was denied by a judge. Greg Smith then filed for a temporary restraining order against his wife, which was granted by a different judge. This restraining order allowed Jessica Smith access to Greg Smith and their children, but she was prohibited from removing the girls from the Portland-Vancouver-metro area.

The judge who approved the restraining order against Jessica Smith signed off on a temporary parenting plan giving Greg Smith weekend visits with the children every other week. A Clark County family law attorney told the media that it is not unusual for the same judge to grant a temporary restraining order to prevent one parent from taking children outside of a specific area, and to sign off on parenting plans requiring parents to share time with the children.

Source: KATU, “Custody plan between Jessica Smith, estranged husband not uncommon,” Hillary Lake, August 5, 2014.

The post Mother Accused of Murdering Infant Daughter Violated Restraining Order appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 12, 2014

Angelino L. Pena, 32, has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison after being found guilty of second-degree attempted murder with a weapons enhancement and first-degree assault with a weapons enhancement. The Vancouver man is associated with the Norteño street gang.

Pena shot a gang associate, Vincent Burnett, 28, in the forehead in 2013 at the downtown Vancouver EconoLodge and instructed witnesses to leave the scene as if they had seen nothing.  The victim survived but suffered brain damage, and is now unable to return to his job as a welder because of memory and physical impairments. The prosecutor requested the maximum sentence of 28 years, but Pena’s Vancouver defense attorney argued that 22 to 23 years would be more appropriate.

Pena shot Burnett on January 26, 2013, after an argument concerning the victim’s cousin. Burnett said that he was unable to remember what the argument was about due to the brain injury he received. Two other people were in the motel room, including the woman who paid for the room. The second witness was a man who was asleep and woken up by the gunfire to see the victim fall facedown. The man said Burnett lay motionless with blood pooling around his face and head.

Pena’s Vancouver defense attorney said that there was reasonable doubt that the accused had been in the room at the time of the shooting and that he had held the gun. He also suggested the shooting could have been accidental. Pena did not take the stand in his defense and there were no defense witnesses. No one called 911 for 10 hours.

Pena has a previous criminal history and has been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, malicious mischief, harassment, robbery and weapons violations.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man gets 27 years in motel shooting,” Paris Achen, August 11, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on August 15, 2014

Maurice M. Eppenger-Jones, 18, is suspected of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm by an ex-con, possession of a stolen firearm and altering marks on a pistol.

The Vancouver man appeared in Clark County Superior Court this week accused of firing multiple shots toward a house in Vancouver after he was asked to leave a party. Clark County prosecutors have suggested the shooting was gang-related. Eppenger-Jones was held in lieu of $200,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. His arraignment is scheduled for August 28.

A court affidavit states that the accused went to a July 27 party at a home in the 12100 block of Northeast Second Street in the Fircrest neighborhood of Vancouver. While there, he got into an argument with a woman, who reportedly called him a derogatory name. According to court records, Eppenger-Jones then called her a derogatory name in return, which led to the host of the party asking him to leave. A Vancouver police detective wrote in a court affidavit that as Eppenger-Jones was walking away from the house he shouted “it’s six, O (for zero),” and fired repeatedly into the air in the direction of the house. The detective noted that the phrase is a reference to the Rolling ‘60s Crip street gang.

The party host reported hearing six shots, and he and others at the party sought cover. 15-20 people reportedly chased after Eppenger-Jones as he ran from the house, and a witness managed to take his gun from him. Nine spent .22-caliber shell casings were found by investigators in the general area of the shooting. The gun was examined by authorities and was found to be a stolen .22 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun with the serial number scratched out. Two bullet holes were found in the house’s garage door.

Eppenger-Jones has previous criminal convictions of first-degree robbery and second-degree robbery.

Source: The Columbian, “Prosecutors: Fircrest shooting might be gang related,” Paris Achen, August 14, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on August 17, 2014

Charles E. Paschal, 34, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in Clark County. The Portland man was found guilty in May of beating and raping his former girlfriend. He was convicted of felony first-degree assault, first-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment. The jury also found the crimes to be aggravated, because they were committed in the presence of children.

The victim said the children distracted Paschal, which allowed her to escape after hours of torture. She climbed two fences, naked except for a bra, and knocked on the door of strangers for help. A responding paramedic happened to be acquainted with the victim, and said that she had been so badly injured he didn’t recognize her. Clark County sheriff’s detectives who were involved in the investigation described it as one of the worst domestic violence cases they had seen.

The judge imposed an exceptionally long sentence of 30 years due to the aggravated nature of the crimes, saying Paschal deserved more time because he showed no remorse. The state’s standard sentencing range for the crimes committed is 17 to 22½ years. She said that she had originally intended to stay within the standard range, but changed her mind after hearing the accused speak. Paschal said that he believed people were overlooking the “hurt” inside of him, and admitted striking her. He claimed that the victim struck him as well and that “it wasn’t that big of a fight.” The judge replied that Paschal was feeling sorry for himself and minimizing everything that had happened by blaming the victim because “she made you hit her.”

Paschal’s Vancouver defense attorney said his client would appeal the judgment and sentence.

Source: The Columbian, “Man gets 30 years in rape, assault,” Paris Achen, August 13, 2014.

The post Portland Man Sentenced for Assault/Rape in Clark County appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 18, 2014

James M. Kalasky, 32, is facing charges in of first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, felony harassment (death threats) and unlawful imprisonment in Clark County.

The Vancouver man was in Clark County Superior Court accused of a standoff with police that lasted six hours. Police had responded to reports that Kalasky was armed and threatening to harm a family member and himself. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bail and Vancouver defense attorney Nick Wood was appointed to defend him. He will be arraigned August 29.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies were called to check on a man on N.E. Stony Meadows Drive, and patrol deputies were told the man had a rifle, was suicidal and was threatening his 64-year-old father. A court affidavit states that Kalasky’s psychologist had gone to the home earlier that day after Kalasky sent him a picture of bullets and said “he was done.” Kalasky told the psychologist to leave, and made threats against anyone else that might come by to check on him.

Court records sate that Kalasky reportedly assaulted his father and pinned him down. He allegedly pointed the rifle at deputies when they arrived and refused to lay down his weapon or leave the house. Deputies evacuated the home and called the SWAT team and a crisis negotiator. The standoff came to an end several hours later, at 1:45 a.m. when SWAT managed to distract Kalasky with a flash-bang grenade and arrest him. Court records indicate that Kalasky has an opiate habit and mental health issues.

Source: The Columbian, “Man arrested after standoff with police appears in court,” Paris Achen, August 18, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Facing Charges After Standoff With Police appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 21, 2014

Nathan D. Benson, 35, was in Clark County Superior Court accused of taking part in a Camas home invasion. The victim of the invasion was assaulted and held hostage in a reported attempt to force him to pay a debt.

Court records indicate Benson is one of three suspects who participated in the crimes. The Washougal man is facing charges of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, first-degree robbery and residential burglary. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bail and Vancouver defense attorney Nick Wood was appointed to represent him. He is scheduled to be arraigned on August 29.

While the victim was being held against his will, Benson allegedly threatened him with a machete and hit him in the face with the victim’s cellphone. The victim said that he was able to get the machete from Benson and scare away the assailants. Court documents show that Benson admitted to his participation in the attack.

The victim owed money to the other two suspects in the case, named as “Vince” and “Nicole Bryden.”  The other suspects allegedly forced the victim to the back of his bed and spent about 90 minutes threatening him and intimidating him, and Benson then allegedly took a machete off the wall and threatened him. Benson admitted to throwing a cellphone at the victim’s face out of frustration. While in the home the three suspects allegedly took some of the victim’s belongings without consent as payment for the debt. Court records say they took a bag of DVDs and a laptop.

Source: The Columbian, “Washougal man a suspect in home invasion robbery,” Paris Achen, August 19, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on August 23, 2014

Marie A. Berry, 35, was in Clark County Superior Court suspected of the robbery of at least seven businesses from April to June. The businesses that were robbed include banks, gas stations, a restaurant, a tanning salon and a department store. The Vancouver woman was held on $150,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent her. She is scheduled to be arraigned on September 4, and is facing charges of seven counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree theft.

The most recent business to be robbed was a Columbia Bank branch in Vancouver on June 26. Berry reportedly went to the counter of the bank on 7500 N.E. 117^th Ave. at about 3:30 p.m. and handed an employee a note that said “Do not alert anyone, no cops. Five minutes. No bail money. One minute. Big bills first.” She allegedly fled the scene with $2,225 in cash and commandeered a microcar.

On June 6, Berry went into a Shell gas station on N.E. Andresen Road and allegedly handed over a note demanding money and implying she had a weapon, though she did not show one. Court records say she fled with $58. On June 4, she allegedly demanded money from a Tan Republic salon, saying she had a gun. She is also accused of robbing a People’s Credit Union on April 27, also by presenting a note demanding money. A witness overheard Berry speaking about the PCU robbery, saying that she had entered the credit union with a hoodie over her head and then run out to her car with the money. She has also allegedly robbed a Pizza Hut, a Kohl’s department store, and another Shell gas station.

Court records indicate that Berry was seen on surveillance video casing other banks not long after allegedly robbing the Columbia Bank.

Source: The Columbian, “Woman accused in string of bank, other robberies,” Paris Achen, August 21, 2014.

The post Vancouver Woman Suspected of Several Robberies appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 27, 2014

Shawn E. Turner, 22, has been sentenced to almost five years in prison after pleading guilty in Clark County Superior Court to the felony sexual assault of a young boy. The Vancouver man, who is a former Boy Scout mentor, sexually abused a Boy Scout for at least 3 years, starting when the victim was 13 years old.

Turner pleaded guilty in May to attempted second-degree child rape in exchange for prosecutors dismissing charges of one count of second-degree child rape and two counts of third-degree child rape. Court records indicate that the abuse began when the victim was 13, but the victim’s father has said that Turner began “grooming” his son when he was 11. The judge rejected a request from Turner’s Vancouver defense attorney for a treatment-based alternative and gave Turner the minimum sentence under state guidelines.

Turner’s attorney argued that his client was a good candidate for the state’s special sex offender sentencing alternative because of his age and lack of criminal history. Turner would have had to serve only 12 months in Clark County jail and would have undertaken a sex offender treatment program if the request had not been denied. The prosecutor argued against it, saying Turner had abused his position of trust over the boy and that he now blames the victim. Turner reportedly said in the pre-sentence investigation that the abuse happened because of the victim’s advances.

According to court records, the sexual abuse escalated from fondling to rape involving physical force. Turner was arrested in March after the victim told his mother about the abuse.

Source: The Columbian, “Former Boy Scout mentor gets 5 years for sex abuse,” Paris Achen, August 25, 2014.

The post Former Boy Scout Mentor Sentenced for Sexual Assault-Related Charges appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Domestic Violence on August 29, 2014

Michael D. Hayes, 27, is accused in Clark County of violating a no-contact order and assaulting a police dog and his handler. The Vancouver man is facing charges of first-degree burglary domestic violence, third-degree assault of an officer, harming a police dog and violation of a protection order.  He will be arraigned on September 11. Hayes was held on $80,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend him.

Police were called to Hayes’ ex-girlfriend’s home in Vancouver earlier this week when she reported that the accused was in her home without permission, intoxicated. Hayes had been ordered by a judge to have no contact with the woman. A court affidavit says that he ignored her requests to leave.

A Vancouver police officer responded with his K-9 and Hayes allegedly grabbed the dog and threw him across the room, and then punched the German shepherd with a closed fist when he tried to bite the accused. The dog reportedly continued to try to engage the suspect and the suspect continued resisting arrest, grabbing the police officer by his body armor and punching him in the face.

The police officer suffered minor injuries to his face and hand, and the K-9 had bruising and tenderness.

Source: The Columbian, “Man accused of assaulting Vancouver officer, police dog,” Paris Achen, August 28, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Allegedly Assaults Police Officer and K-9 in Domestic Violence Burglary appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on August 30, 2014

Aaron A. Hein, 24, is suspected in Clark County of the possession and viewing of child pornography. The Vancouver man was arrested this week. Court documents say that Hein’s live-in girlfriend discovered child pornography on his computer and, along with the couple’s roommate, reported him to authorities.

Hein was in court on Friday, officially suspected of child pornography-related felonies. He was held in lieu of $75,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 5.

A court affidavit says that Hein’s girlfriend was looking at his laptop on the evening of July 30 when she noticed “evidence” that he may have been downloading child pornography. Court documents say Hein was reportedly scheduled to move out of the shared residence, and the roommate copied the laptop’s contents before the date he was scheduled to leave. When he moved out, Hein left behind two computer towers that he had asked the roommate to work on. The towers and the hard drive that held the laptop copy were seized by authorities as evidence. Court records indicate that two videos and 11 picture files containing child pornography were discovered on the electronics. More was reportedly found in the laptop’s trash folder.

Hein allegedly admitted to searching for and viewing depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Hein’s laptop was also seized, and the contents are still being investigated.

Source: The Columbian, “Girlfriend, roommate report child porn on man’s laptop,” Paris Achen, August 29, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Suspected of Downloading/Viewing Child Pornography appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 9, 2014

Kristopher J. Mann, 25, was in Clark County Superior Court suspected of the July 7 robbery of a Chinese food restaurant in Hazel Dell.

The La Center man is suspected of going into the Canton Chinese Buffet at about 4:30 p.m. and telling the cashier he had a gun. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office says he apparently held his hand in his pocket in a way which simulated holding a handgun. Court documents state that he handed the cashier a note demanding money and then fled with about $900 in cash.

The judge held Mann in lieu of $100,000 bail and appointed a Vancouver defense attorney to represent him. He will be arraigned on September 17, facing charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree theft.

Surveillance video recorded the robbery, and sheriff’s detectives were able to release a photo of the suspect taken from the video to the public. According to court documents, an associate of Mann told authorities that Mann had admitted to robbing the restaurant, and a witness to the robbery identified Mann in a photo lineup. Court records show that Mann has substance abuse problems and mental health issues, as well as a criminal history. He was convicted of burglary in Clark County in 2010.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man faces charges related to robbery,” Paris Achen, September 3, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on September 17, 2014

Joseph W. Chumley, 36, was in Clark County Superior Court accused of harming a police dog, attempting to elude police, second-degree identity theft and third-degree theft. He was held in lieu of $70,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. He will be arraigned on Friday. The Battle Ground man allegedly kicked a K-9 at least 10 times while trying to elude police.

A Clark County sheriff’s deputy stated that he tried to pull over a green Saturn sedan for a traffic infraction at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday at Northeast 88^th Street and Northeast St. Johns Road. The suspect vehicle at first slowed and pulled over, but it then fled at a high speed with the headlights off. The sheriff’s deputy pursued the vehicle and stopped to speak with a construction worker who had witnessed the vehicle speeding past, nearly striking him. The court document says the construction worker reported that the sedan had headed toward a nearby Home Depot parking lot. The sheriff’s deputy found the vehicle, unoccupied, behind the store.

Other deputies arrived and set up a containment perimeter, sending the police dog to track the missing driver. The K-9 found Chumley and his girlfriend Jensina Tech in some bushes. Chumley was witnessed by officers allegedly kicking the dog over 10 times, and he allegedly resisted the officer’s commands until he was subdued with a taser. Tech told deputies that Chumley had been driving the car. Court documents show that she said he always runs from police.

Chumley was treated at a hospital for dog bites and taken to jail. The K-9 suffered minor injuries, including bruising.

Source: The Columbian, “Battle Ground man accused of kicking K-9 during police chase,” Paris Achen, September 17, 2014.

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Posted in Felonies on September 18, 2014

Keki Kiril Silva-McKendree, 23, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for threatening a cashier with a hatchet during an attempted robbery at the 7 Market. The Washougal man will also have to serve 18 months community custody. He pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery with a deadly weapon.

Silva-McKendree’s Vancouver defense attorney and the prosecuting attorney agreed on the sentencing range. The accused’s issues with drug use and lack of felony history, as well as the seriousness of the potential consequences of his actions, were all taken into consideration. Silva-McKendree was originally facing charges of first-degree attempted robbery, methamphetamine possession, third-degree malicious mischief and third-degree possession of stolen property. He has reportedly been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety. His defense attorney said that his actions had been out of character.

Part of his sentencing involves his family helping him to follow through with mental health and substance abuse treatment when he is released from prison. He was also ordered to pay for a glass case that was broken when he slammed the hatchet onto it, and he has been prohibited from contacting the cashier he threatened or going to the 7 Market.

Silva-McKendree left the store after the attempted robbery empty-handed. During the incident his mother called 911 to report that he was having a mental health crisis.

Source: The Columbian, “Washougal man sentenced in hatchet robbery,” Patty Hastings, September 16, 2014.

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Posted in Domestic Violence on September 19, 2014

Cacy L. Jordan, 37, has been sentenced to 201 days in jail in Clark County. The Vancouver man allegedly threatened members of his family with a gun and was shot in a confrontation with police. He agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence assault. In exchange another count of second-degree domestic violence assault and two counts of felony harassment death threats were dismissed.

Jordan will be required to complete 18 months of probation when he is released and has been prohibited from contacting his wife and daughter for 10 years. His Vancouver defense attorney argued that Jordan should only serve three months, the minimum sentence for the crime, because he has no previous felony convictions. The prosecutor asked for the maximum sentence of 270 days. Jordan was involved in a standoff with the police July 19 when officers responded to a call from a neighbor reporting he was drunk and threatening his family with a pistol.

Jordan’s wife, Wesley Jordan, had reportedly slipped her mother a note stating that she was afraid Jordan would kill her and her children. The note read: “CJ is drunk and waving around a loaded pistol… saying he has one in the chamber for all of us. I think someone should go outside and call the police. I think that (the) situation is only going to get worse.”

When police officers made contact with Jordan he reportedly would not follow their commands. An officer gave spoken commands and then fired multiple rounds through a window, hitting Jordan in the left shoulder. He was taken into custody near the front of the house.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man shot by police gets 201 days in jail,” Paris Achen, September 18, 2014.

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