Posted in Felonies on September 20, 2014

Sergey Y. Lastivka, 22, was arrested in Multnomah County after allegedly attempting to ram a Portland police car and then speeding off and hitting another vehicle head-on. The driver of the second vehicle was badly injured. Lastivka is charged with second-degree assault, Assault 4, attempting to elude, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless endangerment, second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault.

Lastivka’s blood alcohol content three hours after the incident was .10 above the legal limit for driving. Court records indicate that he has a previous conviction of driving under the influence of intoxicants from 2010.

At around 11 p.m. Monday an East Precinct officer investigated the sound of screeching tires near Mall 205. He turned on the overhead red-and-blue light on the marked police car he was driving and shined a spotlight on the lot, where an Infiniti G37 was driving in circles. The officer drove toward the vehicle and the Infiniti stopped and drove toward the patrol car, then swerved and sped away.

The Infiniti was being driven erratically as the officer followed it on Southeast Washington Street before crashing head-on into another vehicle at Southeast 96^th Avenue and Market Street. 54-year-old Hope Davis, the driver of the vehicle that was hit, was pinned inside her car and had to be extricated. She was taken by ambulance to a Portland hospital, suffering from a lacerated liver, ruptured diaphragm and multiple leg fractures. Lastivka was discovered lying on the grass near the driver’s side door of the Infiniti. He told police that he was not the driver.

Source: Oregon Live, “Man accused of trying to ram into Portland police car was arraigned Friday,” Maxine Bernstein, September 19, 2014.

The post Portland Driver Charged with DUI and Assault appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 25, 2014

The death of Kendra Peck, 29, is suspected to be a homicide by Vancouver police. The local nurse died from a drug overdose in December 2012. No arrests have been made, and a Vancouver police spokesperson said that the case remains under investigation.

In January 2013 charges were filed against Ivan L. Pedersen, 34, for the sexual assault of Peck while she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The rape occurred either on the night before her death or the morning of. The charges of second-degree rape against Pedersen were dropped in April 2013 because more investigation was needed before the case could be prosecuted.

Court documents show that Pedersen said only he and his friend Matthew Peck, the deceased’s husband, were at her home when she died. Pedersen said Matthew Peck had invited him over that night. The Vancouver police spokesperson said that Peck’s husband was being investigated as part of the ongoing investigation in the case. The spokesperson would not comment on whether Pedersen was suspected or whether there were other suspects. No one is currently being charged in connection with the homicide.

Vancouver police responded to the report of Peck’s death at around 9:19 a.m. on December 27, 2012. It was determined by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office that she had died from accidental cocaine and alcohol intoxication. Court documents say her blood alcohol level was about 0.10 percent. During the police investigation it was decided that her death should be treated as a homicide. Pedersen, also a nurse, had his license revoked in April.

The police say there is no timeline for the completion of the investigation.

Source: The Columbian, “Drug overdose death called a homicide,” Paris Achen, September 24, 2014.

The post Death of Local Nurse Being Investigated as Homicide appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 25, 2014

Gregory Castro, 39, has pleaded guilty in Clark County to second-degree assault, first-degree theft and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. The Vancouver man was sentenced to 13 months in prison. He brought a stolen, unloaded rifle into a medical building in Salmon Creek and threatened a medical provider.

Castro accepted a plea deal in exchange for the dismissal of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm charges. He apologized for his actions during a hearing, saying that he had put himself and others in a “dark and dangerous situation.” Castro says that he has bipolar disorder and initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but his Vancouver defense attorney said that he did not have enough evidence to support that defense. The attorney said that Castro had been found not guilty by reason of insanity for a robbery in 2000.

In the current case, Castro was found to be competent to stand trial by mental health professionals at Western State Hospital, meaning he was determined to be able to assist in his defense. It is possible for a mentally ill person to be found competent.

Castro brought the gun into the Associates for Psychiatric & Mental Health clinic at about 10 a.m. April 28. Court records indicate that he did it because he wanted answers from his mental health provider about whether the FBI had been following him. The mental health provider talked him into putting the weapon down. A crisis negotiator convinced him to surrender to a Clark County sheriff’s deputy.

Castro told investigators that he believed his mental health had deteriorated recently and he had become paranoid that he was being followed by the FBI.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man gets 13 months after bringing rifle into building,” Paris Achen, September 24, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Pleads Guilty to Assault and Weapons Charges appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 26, 2014

Jack Raymond Yancey, 57, was in Clark County Superior Court today suspected of first-degree homicide. The accused was held on $1 million bail after leading police on a daylong manhunt. Yancey will be arraigned October 8, and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him.

Yancey allegedly stabbed Gary L. Adams, 50, to death outside of a Hough neighborhood residence after a reportedly “trivial” argument. Adams was visiting the residence and walked outside and witnesses saw Adams and Yancey in a confrontation about five minutes later. A court affidavit says that Yancey was advancing on Adams, and Adams had his hands on Yancey’s shoulders in an attempt to keep him away. Yancey was seen moving his hand towards the victim’s stomach, and Adams grabbed his stomach and said, “You stabbed me.” Yancey reportedly then said, “That’s what you get.”

Yancey told detectives that Adams had thrown a knife at him and missed, and then gone up to him and punched him. The accused said that was when he took out a kitchen knife and stabbed Adams once. Adams died instantly. Witnesses called 911 but Yancey had already fled in a white Dodge Omni by the time police arrived. Yancey was not found Wednesday night but was identified as a suspect. Police began searching again Thursday morning when the Omni was found in a parking lot at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Kauffman Avenue. There were also reports of Yancey being seen on foot.

Vancouver police officers spent the day searching a 10-block area of West Vancouver, including the BNSF rail yard. He was captured at 5:36 p.m. In East Vancouver when an officer spotted him going up the steps to multiple mobile homes.

Source: The Columbian, “Homicide suspect in manhunt held on $1M bail,” Paris Achen and Emily Gillespie, September 26, 2014.

The post Clark County Homicide Suspect Captured appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 26, 2014

Bail bond recovery agent Victoria E. Jones, 21, has been sentenced to one day in jail after accepting a plea deal. The Amboy woman pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor of second-degree criminal assistance in exchange for the dismissal of a felony charge of first-degree burglary. She has already served the 1-day sentence.

Bail bond agents Jason R. Stomps, 40, and David L. Smith, 30, allegedly forced entry into a Vancouver residence where it was believed a fugitive was hiding. They were mistaken. The men are being charged with first-degree burglary and other charges. Investigators said that the law was violated because protocol was not followed. The agents did not have reasonable cause to enter the residence and they did not notify law enforcement that they were planning a forced entry. They allegedly broke down the door and held three people that were in the house at gunpoint, handcuffed them together and made them get on their knees. The victims did not know who they were or what they were doing.

Jones said she was not on duty that night but was with Stomps when Smith called to tell Stomps he had located the fugitive they were after. Jones’ Vancouver defense attorney said that he didn’t think a jury would find her guilty of burglary but she did not want to risk a trial. Jones did not enter the residence, but she was charged with burglary because of accomplice liability, meaning an individual who did not physically commit a crime can be charged for helping or enabling the perpetrator. Jones handed a tool that was used to break into the residence to her co-defendants. She said there was never intent to commit a burglary.

Source: The Columbian, “Bail bond agent sentenced to one day,” Paris Achen, September 25, 2014.

The post Clark County Bail Bond Agent Accepts Plea Deal appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 28, 2014

Thomas J. Keys, 41, has been arrested in Clark County for allegedly robbing a Vancouver convenience store and ramming a police car as he fled in a vehicle. He is facing charges of first-degree robbery, five counts of first-degree assault, possession of stolen property, attempting to elude, felony-level hit-and-run, theft of a vehicle, first-degree malicious mischief and an arrest warrant.. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday.

At about 10:18 p.m. Thursday a man went into the AM/PM on N.E. 112^th Ave., brandished a weapon and left with an undisclosed amount of money. Police were able to obtain a description of the vehicle the suspect was driving and discovered it was stolen. An officer saw the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle then rammed a police vehicle that was occupied by an officer and a K-9. The officer and police dog were not injured.

Keys, later identified as the robbery suspect, allegedly continued to flee. A Vancouver police officer fired his gun at the fleeing vehicle during the pursuit. No one was injured. The officer has been placed on administrative leave.

The suspect vehicle crashed into a tree and the suspect fled on foot. Police searched until about 2 a.m. but were unable to locate the suspect. At around 5:30 a.m., a clerk at a Chevron recognized Keys from news reports when he asked for change and called 911. A patrol officer responded and saw Keys across the street at a bus stop and took him into custody.

Source: The Columbian, “Man accused of robbery, ramming police car captured,” Mark Bowder and Emily Gillespie, September 26, 2014.

The post Suspect in Vancouver Robbery Arrested appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in DUI on September 28, 2014

Shane M. Turner, 31, has been charged in Clark County with two counts of vehicular assault related to driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. He pleaded not guilty to the felony charges, stemming from a collision with a vehicle that critically injured 9-year-old Agatha Konovalchik and her mother, Anna Konovalchik, 44. The girl’s older brother, Jacob Konovalchik, 13, was also injured. Turner’s trial is scheduled for December 8.

Anna Konovalchik and Jacob Konivalchik have been released from the hospital. Agatha Konovalchik is in serious condition at Randal Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emmanuel in Portland.

The family was heading southbound September 10 in a minivan when a westbound pickup truck hit them at Northeast 182^nd Avenue and Northeast 219^th Street at around 6:45 p.m. Agatha Konochalvik was transported by helicopter to the children’s hospital, and her family members were also taken to the hospital. Turner was not injured.

The accused reportedly told sheriff’s detectives that he had two beers before the crash. Court documents indicate that an empty bottle of whiskey and three beers were found inside his vehicle, and the whiskey was spilled on the floor, on the driver’s side door and on Turner’s shirt. Court documents also say he failed a field sobriety test.

Source: The Columbian, “Man pleads not guilty in crash that hurt girl,” Paris Achen, September 25, 2014.

The post Man Pleads Not Guilty to DUI and Vehicular Assault appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 29, 2014

Regan C. Davis, 53, entered an Alford plea in Clark County Superior Court on Thursday. The Everett man accepted a plea agreement with prosecutors and was sentenced to 54 months in prison. An Alford plea is not a guilty plea, but an acknowledgment by the defendant that a jury could find them guilty of the crimes they have been accused of. Davis was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and theft of a firearm because of his participation in a December 19 home invasion robbery in Ridgefield. During the incident a victim was tied up against their will.

In exchange for Davis’ plea, prosecutors dismissed several other charges. Two other defendants in the case pleaded guilty on Monday. Jarrod A. Wiebe, 27, is scheduled to finish his trial this week. He has been charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, second-degree extortion, first-degree criminal impersonation, and 10 counts of firearm theft.

Davis could have been sentenced to between 47 and 61 months in prison, and his Vancouver defense attorney argued that the minimum sentence should be considered because he played a minimal role in the burglary and has no criminal history. The judge said that the gravity of the crime made the 54 month sentence appropriate.

Davis, Wiebe, Larry C. Kyle and Ruben Vega traveled from the Puget Sound area to the victim’s home in Ridgefield. Davis, Kyle and Vega forced their way into the residence. Kyle pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree burglary, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree extortion. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Vega pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree kidnapping and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Source: The Columbian, “Everett man sentenced in home invasion,” Paris Achen, September 25, 2014.

The post Everett Man Sentenced for Ridgefield Home Invasion appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on September 29, 2014

Nicole R. Bryden, 34, was in Clark County Superior Court suspected of participating in a home invasion that took place in Camas in August. A Camas man was held hostage as three suspects attempted to force him to pay a debt. The Washougal woman is facing charges of first-degree burglary and unlawful imprisonment. She was held on $75,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend her. She will be arraigned October 7.

Court records indicate that three suspects entered a residence on August 12 and held the man who lived there against his will. Nathan D. Benson, 35, was arrested in connection with the crime and is facing charges of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, first-degree robbery and residential burglary. His trial is scheduled for October 20. Vincent Ferguson, the third suspect, is still wanted on an arrest warrant.

A court affidavit says that the victim owed Bryden and Ferguson money. The suspects allegedly forced him to the back of his bed, threatened and intimidated him, and left with some of his belongings without his consent as payment for the debt. Benson is accused of threatening the victim with a knife and then taking a machete off the wall and placing the blade under his chin. He also allegedly threw a cellphone at the victim. The victim said he was able to get the machete from Benson and get the suspects to leave. As they left they stole a laptop, several DVDs, a bag of tools and two knives.

Bryden admitted to going to the victim’s residence to retrieve the money owed, but denied threatening him or seeing the others with a knife and machete.

Source: The Columbian, “Washougal woman arrested in home invasion,” Paris Achen, September 29, 2014.

The post Washougal Woman Facing Charges for Camas Home Invasion appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on October 16, 2014

Ian Andrew Heller, 25, has pleaded not guilty in Clark County Superior Court to a charge of bail jumping after leaving for Cambodia. The Vancouver man allegedly fled the country to avoid other charges related to the sexual assault of a child. His trial has been scheduled for January 12.

Heller’s Vancouver defense attorney requested that his bail be lowered from $500,000 but the judge denied the request, saying that Heller had fled to Cambodia while the rape case was pending and had said while in jail in Los Angeles that he was going to flee again. Heller’s attorney suggested that Heller have his bail reduced to no more than $100,000 and be required to forfeit his passport as a condition of release.

Heller was arrested by Cambodian police in Preah Sihanouk province two months after his defense attorney and supervised release officer lost contact with him. He was sent to the department of immigration in Phnom Penh. He was then transported to Los Angeles, where he was held on a bench warrant out of Clark County and picked up by Clark County sheriff’s deputies on September 30.

Heller allegedly raped a minor girl multiple times. He was released from jail last year and ordered to stay with his half-brother in Kelso. His brother said that Heller had moved out without telling him his new address, and a bench warrant for Heller’s arrest was issued in July for not reporting his new address as required by law.

Source: The Columbian, “Trial set for Vancouver child rape suspect found in Cambodia,” Paris Achen, October 15, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Charged for Fleeing Country During Pending Case appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Domestic Violence on October 16, 2014

Richard K. Cameron, 47, is suspected in Clark County of a domestic violence arson involving his mother’s home, where he lived. He is facing charges of first-degree arson domestic violence, reckless endangerment domestic violence and third-degree malicious mischief. He was held on $75,000 bail because of the nature of the crime and his previous criminal history. A Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend Cameron, and his arraignment is scheduled for October 29.

In the court hearing the accused cursed and would not sign a court order prohibiting contact with his mother.

Court documents indicate that Cameron demanded that his mother go to the store and buy him cigarettes, and when she refused he was angered. He reportedly tipped over a filing cabinet and shelving unit and then went to his room, emerging soon after to declare that he had set the house on fire. The fire set off smoke detectors and burned a 4-by-4-foot section of carpet and a towel that was in a bedroom.

Cameron’s mother said that her son has mental health problems and lives with her. The deputy prosecutor stated that he has a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions of assault, malicious mischief, harassment, disorderly conduct, trespassing, DUI and bail jumping.

Source: The Columbian, “Police: Man set house on fire over cigarettes,” Paris Achen, October 15, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Accused of Domestic Violence-Related Arson appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Domestic Violence on October 20, 2014

Michael D. Wright Sr., 45, was in Clark County Superior Court accused of several domestic violence-related crimes and holding a 7-year-old family member hostage in a 15-hour standoff with police. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend him. His arraignment is scheduled for October 31.

Wright is facing charges of first-degree assault domestic violence, fourth-degree assault domestic violence, four counts of unlawful imprisonment and interfering with reporting a domestic violence crime. While in court, Wright shouted at the deputy prosecutor and accused a relative of committing a crime, saying that the police had done nothing about it. He was forcibly removed from the courtroom by a corrections officer. Court records indicate that Wright has a history of noncompliance with law enforcement.

At 5 p.m. Friday Vancouver police were notified by a woman who came to the police station that Wright was not allowing family members to leave his home and that he had threatened and assaulted them earlier that day. Wright allegedly hit his live-in girlfriend, Tina Trevino, in the side of the head and chest, leaving a mark under her eye. He also allegedly slapped her daughter and held a knife to her throat. According to a court affidavit he told the daughter that if anything happened to him, she would be the first to die.

Police arrived at the residence and made verbal contact with Wright, who would not exit the home and speak with officers. He remained in his garage with the 7-year-old, refusing to release the child. The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team surrounded the property, and the standoff continued through the night. Wright surrendered at about 8 a.m.

Source: The Columbian, “East Vancouver standoff suspect makes scene in court,” Paris Achen, October 20, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Facing Domestic Violence Charges appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on October 22, 2014

David M. Redmond, 24, was in Clark County Superior Court Monday suspected of felony first-degree murder. The Vancouver man allegedly killed his infant son, Everett, when he threw him 7 to 9 feet from a bed onto a changing table because the child was fussing. Redmond admitted to past abuse of the baby. He was held in lieu of $750,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. His arraignment is scheduled for October 23.

Court documents indicate that Redmond’s wife, Ashley Redmond, may have been at the gym when he became frustrated with the infant’s crying and allegedly lifted the 1-month-old over his head and threw him over a distance of several feet. Redmond originally said that he had accidentally rolled over on the baby while napping, but a doctor stated that the baby’s injuries could not have been caused in that way and blunt force trauma was clearly involved. Redmond later claimed that he had become frustrated by the crying and dropped the baby on the changing table, bumping his head, but later confessed to throwing him. He admitted to throwing the infant “pretty hard,” and said that he was “pretty annoyed.” He reportedly said he felt guilty afterward.

Everett suffered a large skull fracture with soft tissue swelling and bleeding inside his skull and hemorrhaging in his eyes that extended to the periphery. When he became unresponsive later that night, Redmond woke up Ashley Redmond and told her that the baby wasn’t breathing well. David Redmond called 911 and Ashley Redmond attempted CPR. Everett Redmond was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, then transferred to Randall Children’s Hospital Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center in Portland. He was kept alive with machines for a time but died.

David Redmond confessed to spanking the baby when he was one week old, forcing his mouth shut to stop him from crying, squeezing him, and throwing him onto a bed and onto a couch, which caused the infant to fall onto the floor. Redmond appeared in court wearing a suicide smock, and has reportedly indicated that he wants to die.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man accused of throwing, killing newborn son,” Paris Achen, October 20, 2014.

The post Vancouver Man Accused of Killing Infant Son appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on October 23, 2014

Jarrod A. Wiebe, 27, has been sentenced to over 45 years in prison after participating as a lookout in a home invasion and robbery in Ridgefield. During the incident a victim was tied up and firearms were stolen.

The Snohomish man has no prior criminal history but received the most severe sentence of those involved in the crime because he chose to take the case to trial instead of accepting a plea deal. The judge had no discretion in determining the sentence because of state sentencing laws. The judge stated that he thought the Legislature should have given a “safety valve” to the courts for cases like this, saying the sentence was a “shock to the conscience.” The prosecutor and Wiebe’s Vancouver defense attorney agreed that he was the least culpable of those participating in the crimes, because he was not armed or inside the residence when the victim was tied up.

The three other defendants accepted plea deals and were each sentenced to between 4 ½ and 14 years for burglary, kidnapping, robbery and extortion. Wiebe was offered a similar deal, but opted to plead not guilty and go to trial despite knowing the potential consequences. The jury found him guilty of 16 felonies, nine of which had firearm enhancements. A state law holds accomplices accountable for their co-conspirator’s crimes, so even though Wiebe did not physically participate in the crimes that occurred in the residence he was charged for them. He was convicted of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, second-degree extortion, first-degree criminal impersonation, and 10 counts of firearm theft.

Each firearm enhancement added five years to a base sentence, so the judge had to sentence Wiebe to 41 ½ years on top of any base sentence. The judge questioned whether Wiebe’s long sentence was necessary or a good use of public resources, and said it was fundamentally unfair that the accused had been sentenced to more time than some convicted murderers. He had some discretion over the base sentence and reduced it to four years from the minimum 10 years.

Wiebe’s defense attorney said that his client is planning to appeal his convictions.

Source: The Columbian, “Snohomish man gets 45½ years in home invasion,” Paris Achen, October 23, 2014.

The post Snohomish Man Sentenced to Over 45 Years appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in DUI on October 28, 2014

Nicholas P. Weaver, 26, is suspected in Clark County of hit-and-run injury and third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license. The Vancouver man, who has a history of driving violations, allegedly fled on foot from the scene of a two-vehicle collision without contacting emergency responders to assist the other driver. The other driver, Richard F. Pierce, 73, may have broadsided his vehicle.

Weaver allegedly fled because his driver’s license is suspended. Weaver suffered a mild concussion in the collision. Weaver was held in lieu of $20,000 and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to defend him. His arraignment is scheduled for November 5.

According to court documents Weaver was convicted of hit-and-run injury and driving under the influence (DUI) in 2009. His license was suspended because he has six convictions related to driving and is considered a habitual offender.

Witnesses of the incident reported that one of the drivers had fled on foot, heading east. A Clark County sheriff’s deputy found the driver as the suspect was jumping over a fence in Luke Jensen Sports Park. The driver, identified as Weaver, admitted to being involved in a collision and said he thought he had been T-boned. A court affidavit says that he stated “ I ran because I have a suspended license.” Both of the drivers were admitted to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, and Pierce was found to have a broken hip.

Weaver also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in relation to another suspected incident involving driving with a suspended license.

Source: The Columbian, “Vancouver man arrested after allegedly fleeing crash scene,” Paris Achen, October 22, 2014.

The post Vacouver Man Accused of Hit-And-Run appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on October 29, 2014

Christopher R. Warren, 34, is suspected in Clark County of the sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl with an object. The Vancouver resident, formerly a Beaverton, Ore., police officer, has denied all allegations in court. He stated that he believes the allegations came from his ex-wife, Diane Sanchez, as an act of revenge against him stemming from their divorce and his second marriage.

During the cross-examination the senior deputy prosecutor asked the accused if it was correct that they had watched the alleged victim make the allegations, and Warren answered in the affirmative. The now 6-year-old girl testified that Warren had penetrated her with a pencil. Rape is not legally limited to intercourse and can include penetration with an object. Warren is facing a charge of first-degree child rape. He was the first of several witnesses presented by his defense team. His Portland defense attorney, who is a relative of the accused, said that Sanchez was disgruntled because Christopher Warren had been granted custody of their three children and that she wanted to gain legal custody rights and obtain child support payments. Sanchez stated that she had equal parenting time even though Warren had legal custody.

The prosecutor said that the child’s story had stayed consistent during the investigation, including when she spoke to a doctor and when she was interviewed at the Clark County Children’s Justice Center. During a physical exam about four to six weeks after the alleged abuse, no physical evidence was found.

Warren has been fired from the Beaverton police force twice. In 2011 he was fired after an internal investigation found that he had lied during a 2009 criminal investigation into allegations that he had abused a minor when he was 17. The victim declined to cooperate in that case, and despite probable cause Warren was not prosecuted. He was reinstated but terminated again in 2013 after he was indicted on charges of welfare fraud. He was found guilty of unlawfully obtaining food stamps and first-degree theft for seeking and accepting Oregon welfare benefits while he was a resident of Washington.

Source: The Columbian, “Former officer denies child-rape allegations,” Paris Achen, October 29, 2014.

The post Former Police Officer Facing Charge of Child Rape appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on November 6, 2014

Darrell “Chris” Fry, 33, has entered a Newton plea in Clark County Superior Court. A Newton plea is an acknowledgment that a jury could find a defendant guilty. He entered the plea after accepting a plea deal from prosecutors and was sentenced to four years in prison for felony first-degree murder for acting as an accomplice in the 2012 shooting death of Matthew Michael Clark, 43. His trial is scheduled to start Monday.

Kirk Michael Hernandez, 44, is suspected of shooting and killing the victim on October 1, 2012, because of a dispute over the theft of some stolen firearms. Hernandez was expected to testify that Fry helped plan the crime and drove Hernandez to the victim’s home on the day of the homicide. Fry’s Vancouver defense attorney said that his client knew that he was partially responsible for Clark’s death by giving Hernandez a ride, but that he was not acknowledging he participated in the planning of the crime.

The deputy prosecutor said that Hernandez was the primary witness, so there were significant proof issues in Fry’s case because the primary witness would have been a co-defendant who had shot the victim and a jury might not have found him credible.

Court documents indicate that Hernandez had previously stolen five firearms and a police badge from the home of a retired sheriff’s deputy. Hernandez said that he took the stolen firearms to Clark’s home, and Clark then stole the firearms instead of selling them as he was expected to. The morning of the shooting, the two accused allegedly went to Clark’s residence and attacked him, knocking him down. A probable cause affidavit states that Hernandez said his revolver came out of his pocket and during a struggle for the gun it went off two or three times. An autopsy showed Clark had two gunshot wounds and lacerations all over his body.

Source: The Columbian, “Man pleads guilty in fatal Hazel Dell shooting,” Paris Achen, November 6, 2014.

The post Man Sentenced for Hazel Dell Shooting Death appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on November 7, 2014

Kevin S. Wilson, 40, is facing charges of vehicular assault and felony hit and run in Clark County. The Camas man is suspected of driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of Highway 14, causing a crash involving two other vehicles and then trying to flee on foot.
He is scheduled to be arraigned November 14 on the charges. The judge held him on $50,000 bail and appointed a Vancouver defense attorney to represent him.

Wilson was reportedly driving a 2003 GMC pickup truck traveling east in westbound lanes on the highway when he allegedly hit a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet. A 2007 Toyota Camry then collided with the Volkswagen. The person behind the wheel continued to drive for another 100 yards before stopping, and the suspect then fled on foot with his dog. Police closed the road and set up a detour, and units were sent to Wilson’s house. He was discovered locked outside of the residence with the dog, apparently locked out.

Witnesses reported seeing the pickup enter the highway from an off-ramp.

The other drivers were injured in the crash. Dan S. Daley, 58, was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and later discharged. Ardon Derie, 62, was taken to Peace-Health Southwest Medical Center by a friend. His condition has not been made available.

Source: The Columbian, “Suspected wrong-way driver appears in court,” Paris Achen, November 7, 2014.

The post Camas Man Facing Charges After Wrong-Way Crash appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on November 8, 2014

Kooyeoll K. “Eric” Jung, 54, pleaded not guilty in Clark County to the rape of a patient of his acupuncture practice. The Camas man is expected to be released from jail after having his bail reduced and posting bond, according to his Vancouver defense attorney. He is being charged with two counts of second-degree rape, indecent liberties and unlawful imprisonment. His trial is scheduled for January 26.

The judge in his case agreed to reduce his bail amount from $750,000 to $150,000 after a prosecutor said that Jung had verified that he did not have a South Korean passport because he had given up the passport and South Korean citizenship to become a U.S. citizen. The original bail was set because of concerns about other victims, a possible flight risk and the nature of the allegation. A deputy prosecutor said that there are currently no other victims. When Jung was arrested in October, another prosecutor said that there may have been other victims, but there is reportedly nothing that rises to the level of another sexual assault at this time. A prosecutor questioned whether Jung is still a flight risk, because he reportedly asked if he could leave the country as he was being arrested.

Jung is accused of raping a 51-year-old patient in a treatment room at his acupuncture office. A court affidavit says that he is suspected of restraining the woman after pulling her off a treatment table while she was wearing a treatment gown and raping her. Court papers indicate Jung confessed during a police interrogation to having sexual contact with the woman, denied other victims and stated that he had a prior sexual harassment complaint and had been advised by his lawyer not to hug patients. His attorney said that Jung has difficulty with English and that he is easily misunderstood, and is currently denying any confessions he may have made.

Source: The Columbian, “Acupuncturist released from jail,” November 7, 2014.

The post Camas Man Accused of Raping Patient appeared first on LawBlogVancouver.

Posted in Felonies on November 9, 2014

Duane C. Abbott is accused of vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault in Clark County. He was held on $750,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. His arraignment is scheduled for November 14.

Abbott allegedly hit and killed a 7-year-old girl, Cadence Boyer, on Halloween night while under the influence of marijuana. The suspect also struck Boyer’s mother, Annie Arnold, 32, Chelina Alsteen, 30, and an unidentified 6-year-old girl. Arnold has since been discharged from the hospital and the 6-year-old listed in good condition. Alsteen remained in critical condition as of November 5.

Abbott appeared in court wearing a suicide-prevention smock. Boyer’s grandparents were present in the courtroom’s public gallery and held up photos of their granddaughter for Abbott to see.

Cadence Boyer was walking with her mother and the other victims on Halloween, trick-or-treating along Northeast 112^th Avenue in Vancouver. At about 8:20 p.m. they were struck by a Ford mustang. Court documents indicate that Abbott said he was changing lanes when he lost control of his vehicle and drove up onto the sidewalk, hitting the victims and a utility pole. Abbott reportedly said that he smokes 2-3 grams of marijuana daily and had smoked at 5 p.m. that night. A Vancouver police officer wrote in a court affidavit that Abbott had red, watery eyes that looked droopy and slurred speech. Witnesses reported that Abbott crawled from his car, which was on fire, and walked a short distance before collapsing.

A senior deputy prosecutor said that Abbott has an extensive criminal history, including burglary, theft, forgery and escape.

Source: The Columbian, “Alleged intoxicated driver in fatal trick-or-treater crash in court,” Paris Achen, November 9, 2014.

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