
News Releases: |
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: July 26, 2010
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Det. Sgt. Lyman Moores 360-417-2388
(Desk) 360460-4319
(Cell)
On 07/26/10, James Robert Grant DOB: 06-06-1961 and his wife Brenda
Marie Grant DOB: 04-21-1967 were found deceased in their home, located in
the 100 block of G Street in Forks, WA. Clallam County Sheriff’s Office
was the lead agency conducting the investigation into the murder/suicide,
with the assistance of Forks Police Department.
On 07/26/2010 at about 06:00 hours, James Grant sent a text message to
a family friend saying; you will hate me, please take care of my kids and
raise them right. The friend immediately called James Grant back and spoke
with him by telephone, James Grant then made another comment; that he wasn’t
going to be here any longer, then hung up the phone.
Forks Police Department responded to Grant’s residence as well as the
wife of the friend who had received the phone call. When a Forks Police
Officer arrived on scene with the woman they were standing in the driveway
and heard a gunshot from inside the home.
The home and surrounding neighborhood was secured. Forks Police
Department requested the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department Hostage
Negotiation Team, which immediately responded, as did members of the
Hostage Negotiation Team from Clallam Bay Correctional Facility.
Washington State Patrol S.W.A.T Team also was requested to come to the
scene to assist as were members of the Port Angeles Police Department’s
Special Entry Team. Members from other local law enforcement agencies
including Olympic National Park and La Push Police arrived. Clallam County
Sheriff’s Office, Detective Tom Reyes initiated negotiations using a
bull horn, but received no response from inside the home.
At about 1055 hours, after repeated request by Det. Reyes negotiating,
using the bull horn, two of Grant’s children, a boy age 6yrs old and a
girl age 6 yrs came out of the house. Both children had been sleeping in
the home and awoke to Det. Tom Reyes’s constant attempts on the bull
horn to get the attention of anyone in the home.
After interviewing the two children detectives learned that the
children had seen Brenda Grant lying in bed with blood on her face and
James Grant in a chair in the room with a gun.
Washington State Patrol, S.W.A.T. Team made entry into the home and
found James and Brenda Grant in a back bedroom, deceased. Detectives from
Clallam County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) obtained a
search warrant for the residence, enter the home and processed the scene
with the assistance of Forks Police, to investigate the cause of deaths.
The investigation resulted in making a clear determination that James
Grant murdered his wife, Brenda by fatally shooting her, then used the
same gun self inflicting a fatal gunshot wounds to himself, resulting in a
murder/suicide.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Captain Ron Cameron
(360) 417-2570,email: rcameron@clallam.wa.us
Jamestown
S’Klallam Tribe and Sheriff’s Office To Sign
Inter-local Agreement For Law Enforcement Services
The Jamestown
S’Klallam Indian Tribe and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office will
sign an Inter-local Agreement on Friday, July 16th at 10 am in
the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting (Room 060) located on the
main floor of the courthouse. Under the historic agreement, Sheriff’s
Office personnel will be deputized as tribal officers to enforce Jamestown
tribal law in Jamestown Indian Country, and operate as the first
responders for the FBI in circumstances involving major crimes occurring
on the Jamestown Reservation.
The
Sheriff’s Office will provide law enforcement resources to the tribe by
utilizing the current federal jurisdictional framework, supplemented by
tribal law. The Sheriff’s Office will also enforce criminal law
provisions of State law that apply to all non-Indians in Jamestown Indian
Country. Arrest and detention into the County Jail for offenses against
tribal law will follow the same standards used under State law.
The
Sheriff’s Office will assist the tribal prosecutor in the investigation
of violations against tribal law as well as the prosecution of offenses.
Deputies will appear as witnesses at hearings, provide records related to
arrests and conduct investigations.
The Sheriff’s Office will be compensated for law
enforcement service by federal funds from the Jamestown Tribe.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: 7-9-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-417-2570
360-460-4303
PURSUIT BY
DEPUTIES
Early
Friday morning, about 0301 am Deputy Brian Knutson saw a white pickup
eastbound on SR 101 near Kitchen-Dick Rd, speeding.
As he attempted to make a traffic stop on the subject, the white
pickup slowed and stopped at the side of the road but then immediately
took off again, with Deputy Knutson behind him.
The truck began increasing their speed and weaving as the pursuit
continued to the east county line and into Jefferson County. At times,
speeds went over 100 mph.
Alerted to the
situation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sergeant Pernsteiner and Deputy
Anderson positioned themselves to assume the pursuit in the Discovery Bay
area. Because the Jefferson
County Deputies would be more familiar with the area, the lead in the
pursuit was turned over to them. Still, the driver of the white truck
failed to respond to the deputies’ lights and emergency equipment and
continued south at a high rate of speed on SR101 towards Quilcene and Hood
Canal.
Finally, at about 0341
am, near milepost 314, the pickup ran out of gas and stopped where
deputies took the driver into custody.
Frank
P. Wrbka, 51, of Joyce, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail
on charges of DUI and Attempting to elude . Reports from Clallam County
will also be referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor for consideration
of charges relating to the attempt to elude Deputy Knutson as well.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 6-27-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
Sgt. Nick Turner 360-460-0472
Missing Persons Update #3
The young father and daughter that were missing for almost
48 hours, walked out of the woods this
morning and were returned to their family.
Jared Egnew, 21 and his 22 month old daughter Madison,
were wet, scratched, tired and hungry after
spending two nights in the forest, but in otherwise good condition when
deputies returned them to
their campsite at Lyre River, west of Port Angeles. No medical attention
was needed. Egnew said he
tried to take a short cut after getting the car stuck, but found the
terrain much more rugged than
he anticipated. He and his daughter found water drink and Salmonberries to
eat throughout their ordeal.
Deputies and searchers were preparing to continue the
search today when they were found.
Mr. Egnew and his
family have asked me to relay to the press that they would like to have
some quiet time today and
would appreciate that privacy so they could understandably get some rest.
That said, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office would
like to express their thanks to all media covering
this story. Your assistance and cooperation in giving the public the
information needed to alert
them to the missing folks greatly enhanced the chances of a positive
outcome. Your professionalism
is very much appreciated.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 6-27-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
Sgt. Nick Turner 360-460-0472
Missing Persons Update 6-27-10
Throughout the day on Saturday, members of the Clallam
County Sheriff’s Office including
Clallam County Search and Rescue, made diligent efforts to locate 21 year
old Jared Egnew and his 22 month old daughter,
Madison. At least 20 searchers and a
tracking dog team from the Gray’s Harbor area, worked into the night
attempting to find some sign of the father and
young girl. However, little information
was developed and they were not located. There was indication from
the dog track team that the father’s scent
may have led away from the found car. Further,
there was further sign that Mr. Egnew may have made it to the main
highway.
Originally, plans were developed by the Sheriff’s Office
to continue the search on Sunday.
However, the search teams that combed the area throughout Saturday felt
it very unlikely anything further could be
turned up by returning. Without more positive
information, the teams have no place to start their search.
Detectives are following up
some leads, recontacting family members and attempting
to locate persons in the area west of Port Angeles that may have some
information that may aid in the investigation.
Anyone that may have seen Mr. Egnew
and Madison please contact the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office
immediately.

|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2010
Release: Contact: Sgt. Randy Pieper
A Deuce day for Cars and Boats in the Water Deputies
responded to two unrelated calls about vehicles being submerged in the
water while attempting launchings
or retrieving boats Wednesday evening. The first call came from Lake
Sutherland at about 1637 hours when
Shane Coleman, 31, of Port Angeles, was backing his pickup
truck down the boat launch to load his Sea-Doo watercraft after spending
the day on the lake.
Coleman attempted to hit
the brake and missed the brake pedal and was unable to brake in time
to keep the truck from going into the water. The truck was mostly
submerged. Deputy Ken Oien
assisted with recovering the truck and Sea-Doo. Coleman
usually loads the Sea-Doo in the back of the truck and does not use a
trailer. There were no injuries
and the truck, a Ford Ranger, was removed from the lake. The value amount
of damage was unknown.
The second call was
reported at 1930 hours by Karleen Gerards,65, of Lake Forest Park, Gerards
said her husband, Donald Gerards, 67, of
Lake Forest Park was in the process of launching his 12 foot
sailboat at Paradise Cove on Sequim Bay while Karleen watched. Gerards,
while backing up, accidently
stepped on the accelerator causing the car to become submerged. Donald was
able to escape with no injuires.
Deputy Ralph Edgington
and Brian Knutson responded and assisted with recovering the boat and
car from the water. Edgington and
Knutson used a small dinghy to reach the car and boat with a cable
from a tow truck. They were able to successfully attach the cable and the
car and boat were removed. The
car, a1996 SAAB 900, due to submersion in salt water, was probably a total
loss. The launch was on private
property.

|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Wednesday June
16, 2010
Contact: Sgt Eric
Kovatch
Release:
Immediate
360-477-0227
Olympic
Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET)
On June 16, 2010 detectives assigned to the Olympic
Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) arrested 44 year old Angela
L. Johnson of Shelton, WA and 25 year old Matthew J. Leftwich of Port
Angeles, WA.
The
arrests were the result of an investigation into the sales of the
prescription pain medication Oxycontin. An OPNET detective was introduced
into a group of suspects that was responsible for selling Oxycontin in
Clallam County.
On
the afternoon of June 16, 2010 the undercover detective made a purchase of
several Oxycontin pills from Johnson and Leftwich. Immediately following
the sale Johnson and Leftwich were taken into custody without incident.
Johnson
and Leftwich were subsequently booked into the Clallam County Correctional
Facility on the charge of delivery of a controlled substance. The entire
case file will be forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office
for the formal filing of charges.

|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Date:
05/26/2010
Contact: Sgt. Brian King (360)
460-7273
Release:
Immediate
Ozette
Marijuana Grow Eradicated
On May 25 th,
2010, Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies, detectives assigned to the
Olympic Peninsula Narcotics
Enforcement Team (OPNET), and officers with the Forks Police Department
executed a search warrant at a
residence in the 13000 block Hoko-Ozette Road in rural Clallam County.
The search warrant
was a result of an investigation, conducted by sheriff’s deputies, into
the manufacturing of
marijuana at the location. The 49 year old resident, Jeffrey Dunn, was not
home at the time of the warrant
service.
Approximately 146
growing marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, were located in an
outbuilding and in numerous outdoor
gardens scattered across the property. Processed marijuana was
located in the residence.
The investigation is ongoing.
Persons with
information about indoor and outdoor marijuana growing operations can
report their information
anonymously and received a reward if that information leads to the arrest
of the offender(s). If you do
have such information and with to report it, please call 1-800-388-GROW
(4769).
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 5-24-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron
360-417-2570 360-460-4303
APPLEBEE’S
FUNDRAISER FOR
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF WASHINGTON
Law
Enforcement officers from several area departments showed up at
Applebee’s Restaurant in Sequim on Saturday morning.
There, they helped serve breakfast to customers who purchased
tickets in support of the athletes that compete in the Special Olympics of
Washington. Several of the athletes were also on hand to greet the
customers that showed their support.
Over 140 tickets
breakfasts were served by members of the Clallam County Sheriff’s
Office, Sequim Police and Port Angeles Police who donated their time for
this worthwhile cause. Applebee’s employees were also dedicated and
worked hard in the preparation of the food and management of the program.
Washington State Law
Enforcement traditionally supports the Special Olympics, which will
culminate next weekend at Joint Base Lewis/McChord with the opening
ceremonies occurring Saturday, June 5th.
This is preceded by the running of the torch by officers next
Wednesday, June 2nd. Area officers will carry the torch from
Laird’s Corner, just west of Port Angeles all the way to the Hood Canal
Bridge where they are expected to arrive around 6pm.
There will be a break for the runners at the Longhouse Store in
Blyn hosted by the Store and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.
The run will culminate at the west end of the Hood canal Bridge
where the torch will be passed on to the Port Gamble S’Klallam canoe
families to paddle the torch to Salisbury Park on the Kitsap side.
There, the torch will be officially handed over to the Kitsap
County Sheriff’s Office to resume the running of the torch on Thursday.
The next expected
fundraiser for the program will occur in September where plans are being
made for Applebee’s to host “Tip-a-Cop” where tips collected can go
to support the athletes.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Monday, May 10, 2010
Contact: Jim Borte, PIO (360) 417-2385
Local
Public Commemoration Ceremony
for
National
Law Enforcement Memorial Week
Members of the Public are invited to attend a
Commemoration Ceremony for National Law
Enforcement Memorial Week on Friday, May 14th.
The event will be held at 10 am at the
local replica of the Liberty Bell, located at the Veterans’ Memorial
Park on Lincoln Street, just north of
the Clallam County Courthouse. The ceremony will include the reading
of a Proclamation issued by the Board County Commissioners, comments by
Sheriff Bill Benedict, a 21 bell salute, a
benediction by Sheriff’s Chaplin Jim Chase, and the
singing of our National Anthem by Jessie Davis. Ms. Davis is the daughter
of Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy
Wally Davis, who was killed while responding to a call for service
on August 5, 2000.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: April 20, 2010
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-417-2570
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF WASHINGTON
ANNUAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN 2010
Once again, law enforcement officers of the Olympic
Peninsula are poised to participate in
the annual torch run in support of the Special Olympic Games held at Joint
Base Lewis/McCord. This year, the run
will take place on June 2nd and
the torch will be carried from Lairds
Corner to the Hood Canal where the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe is
planning to canoe the torch across to
Salisbury Park in Kitsap County. Chief Bill Lyon of
the LaPush Police Department has the honor of starting the run this year
Criminal Justice agencies including the
Clallam and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices, Port
Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend Police Departments, Washington State
Patrol, National Park Service, US
Border Patrol, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, and the US Coast
Guard plan on participating. The torch will arrive at the base gates on
Friday evening, June 4th.
Opening ceremonies are on the 5th.
During the torch run, Clallam County Sheriff
Bill Benedict will lead a group of walkers for
one mile from the Port Angeles City Pier to the old Rayonier site, and
Jefferson County Sheriff Hernandez is
planning to complete the run with the final mile to Hood Canal.

This year, t-shirts are available to everyone as a fund
raiser in support of the Special Olympics
with all proceeds going to the program. The t-shirts can be pre-ordered by
contacting Ron Cameron at 417-2570, or Glen
Roggenbuck at 417-4951. They are $20 and
come in sizes ranging from small to XXXL. In
addition, Applebee’s in Sequim is helping law enforcement with
fundraising this year by providing
a pancake breakfast on May 22 from 0800 to 1000 for $8. Tickets are on
sale from area law
enforcement agencies. Just contact your area agency through the business /
non emergency line and tell
them you are interested in buying tickets to the Applebee’s Torch Run
Breakfast and arrangements will be
made to get them to you. Most of the $8 goes to the Special Olympics
of Washington. Officers from various departments will be at Applebee’s
on May 22nd to
help serve and otherwise get in the Applebee’s employees way. Sequim
Police 683-7227 (Off. Maris Turner or Lt. Sheri Crain) Port
Angeles PD 417-4951 Clallam
County SO 417-2570
Thanks for your support.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date:
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 For
Immediate Release
Contact: Lorraine
Shore, Community Policing Service Coordinator (360) 417-2376 or email:
lshore@co.clallam.wa.us
CLALLAM
COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE JOINS PROJECT LIFESAVER
A SEARCH & RESCUE SERVICE TO PROTECT
THOSE WITH COGNITIVE CONDITIONS WHO MAY WANDER
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office
is bringing the Project Lifesaver program to its service area.
Designed to track and rescue individuals with cognitive conditions
who tend to wander, the service answers a critical need for protecting
people at risk for wandering, including those with Alzheimer’s, Autism,
Down Syndrome and Dementia.
Project Lifesaver International, the leading organization in electronic
search and rescue (SAR) programs, will conduct mandatory training and
provide certification, ongoing management and support to Clallam County
Sheriff’s Office. The
training includes teaching public safety officials how to use the
equipment and how to gain the trust of and communicate with people who
wander, as well as to ensure that caregivers are well versed in the
program. All of which are essential to a successful rescue.
Clients
enrolled in the service will wear a wrist-watch sized radio transmitter on
their wrist or ankle. The
transmitter constantly emits a radio frequency signal, which can be
tracked regardless of where the person has wandered, even into a densely
wooded area, a marsh, a concrete structure such as a garage, or a building
constructed with steel. When
someone goes missing, caregivers notify the appropriate locally trained
law enforcement agency and they are dispatched to the area. The average
rescue time is approximately a half hour.
“I
am delighted that we can participate in this valuable program with our
partners at the Sequim Police Department and look forward to expanding our
partnership with all law enforcement agencies on the Olympic Peninsula. It
is important that we continue outreach efforts to our elderly and
vulnerable citizens”, said Sheriff Bill Benedict in announcing the
start of the program for his office.
Project
Lifesaver also develops public outreach programs to educate others about
the issue of wandering, and they constantly work toward developing public
policy and effective law enforcement response to help save lives and
“bring loved ones home.”
Families
and caregivers can enroll their loved ones by contacting Lorraine Shore,
Community Policing Services Coordinator at 360-417-2376.
This is a free service offered to the citizens of Clallam County
thanks to the generous yearly contributions from the Ray and Donna Guerin
Foundation.
Since
2006, the Guerin Family Foundation has donated significant funds to the
City of Sequim Project Lifesaver Program, administered by the Sequim
Police Department. These contributions resulted, not only in the creation
of the program, but its maintenance and expansion to include the Clallam
County Sheriff’s Office. Without the generous support of the Guerin
Family Foundation, this crucial program would not have been established in
Sequim, nor would it have been nearly as proactive or as successful in
helping to safeguard the well being of the less fortunate of our citizens.
The Project Lifesaver Program not only helps to locate missing persons
afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders, but it provides
a measure of comfort and a sense of security for the caregivers and family
members of the Project Lifesaver clients. For more information, please
contact Project Lifesaver at 1-877-580-LIFE (5433) or visit www.projectlifesaver.org.
About
Project Lifesaver International
Established in 1999, Project
Lifesaver International (PLI) is a non-profit organization that is
committed to helping families quickly find their loved ones who wander
because of Alzheimer's, Down Syndrome, Dementia, and Autism. Headquartered
in Chesapeake, Virginia, Project
Lifesaver works with local law enforcement agencies in more than
1,000 communities in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Canada to
protect some of society's most vulnerable citizens. PLI provides training
and support to all agencies and continues to work with organizations on
education and awareness regarding the issue of wandering.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: April 28, 2010
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Det. Sgt. Lyman Moores (360)460-4319
Burglary Task Force
Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrest and
Recovery of Stolen Property
The Burglary Task Force is comprised of investigators from
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim
Police Department and the Port Angeles Police Department. During the
course of the investigation the
Burglary Task Force used undercover law enforcement officers, police
operatives and undercover agents from
the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives (ATF) to purchase stolen electronics, firearms and illegal
narcotics.
Local Law Enforcement
Agencies recognized the concerns of the citizens of Clallam County resulting
from the rash of serial, daytime, forced entry, burglaries that started in
the fall of 2009 and established
the Burglary Task Force. After a four month investigation members of the
Burglary Task Force believe they have
identified and arrested the persons responsible for many of these
crimes, although the investigation is ongoing and more arrest are pending.
On 04/27/10 members of the
Clallam County Burglary Task Force arrested three more suspects
in an ongoing four month investigation into burglaries that have been
committed throughout Clallam and Jefferson
Counties. Seau Fuellas, 21 year old male,
from Sequim was arrested and booked into Clallam County
Jail on probable cause related to the following criminal acts:
• Possession
of Stolen Property 2nd Degree
– RCW 9A.56.160
• Trafficking
in Stolen Property 1st Degree
– RCW 9A.82.050
• Possession
of Stolen Firearm – RCW 9A.56.310
• Delivery of
a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) – RCW 69.50.401
• Alteration
of Identifying Marks (Firearm) – RCW 9.41.140
• Residential
Burglary (8 Counts) - RCW 9A.52.025
• Theft in
the Third Degree – RCW 9A.56.050
• Theft in
the Second Degree (2 Counts) – RCW 9A.56.040
• Theft
in the First Degree – RCW 9A.56.030
Aaron Maurice Mylan, 19 yr. male from Sequim 12/04/1990
was arrested for:
• Possession
of Stolen Property 2nd Degree
– RCW 9A.56.160
• Trafficking
in Stolen Property 1st Degree
– RCW 9A.82.050
• Possession
of Stolen Firearm – RCW 9A.56.310
• Delivery of
a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) – RCW 69.50.401
• Alteration
of Identifying Marks (Firearm) – RCW 9.41.140
• Residential
Burglary - RCW 9A.52.025
• Theft in
the Third Degree – RCW 9A.56.050
• Theft in
the Second Degree (2 Counts) – RCW 9A.56.040
• Theft in
the First Degree – RCW 9A.56.030
Joseph Ray Farrington, 21 year male, from Port Angeles was
arrested for:
• Possession
of Stolen Property 2nd Degree
– RCW 9A.56.160
• Delivery of
a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine/ Marijuana) – RCW 69.50.401
• Residential
Burglary - RCW 9A.52.025
The Burglary Task Force has identified additional suspects
and further arrests are pending. The Burglary
Task Force will be working closely with the Clallam County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office to insure
that all persons involved in these criminal acts are brought to justice.
If you believe you have
any information regarding these crimes or any other please contact your
local law enforcement agency.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date:
April 19, 2010
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron
360-417-2570 360-460-4303
ASSAULT
SUSPECT ARRESTED
A 24 year old man most
recently from Sequim, was arrested late on Monday afternoon, after a three
hour standoff at a home just north of Sequim.
The incident actually
started earlier in the day when the suspect, Joshua Michael Lemaster aka
Tyler Michael Williams, was allegedly involved in an argument with a
neighbor. Deputies that
investigated that incident developed probable cause for Lemaster for
Assault in the 4th degree.
At about 3:00 pm, authorities were called back to the neighborhood
to a call that Lemaster had allegedly threatened to shoot the neighbors
and had been seen with a gun before going into the residence he was
staying at. Law enforcement officers from the Clallam County Sheriff’s
Office, the Sequim Police Department, and other area agencies responded to
the scene.
While the Clallam
County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau applied for a
warrant to go into the residence to arrest Lemaster, plans were developed
to attempt contact with Lemaster from outside the house.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Det. Tom Reyes, a crisis negotiator
attempted to call out Lemaster using a bull horn in front of the
residence. When the calls
went unanswered, a team of deputies, led by Sgt. Nick Turner of the
Sheriff’s Office, entered the residence and took Lemaster into custody
without further incident.
The search of the
house by deputies did result in the finding of a .22 caliber rifle and a
pellet rifle.
Lemaster was booked
into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on charges of Assault 1st
degree, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Reports will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for
consideration of formal charges.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Monday, April 19, 2010
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Sheriff Bill Benedict
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee
will meet Thursday, April 22, 2010 from
6pm – 8pm in the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the
courthouse at 223 E 4th
Street, Port Angeles WA
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Date:
04-07-2010
Contact: Sgt. Brian King (360)
460-7273
Deputies
Arrest Clallam Bay Liqour Store Burglary Suspect
On 04/04/2010 Deputies, with the assistance of the Neah
Bay Police Department, arrested 19 year old
Neah Bay resident Joshua Swan for crimes relating to the Burglary of the
Clallam Bay Liquor Store (16713
Highway 112) on 04-03-10.
On 04-03-2010 at approximately 1100 hours an employee of
the liquor store arrived for work and discovered
the front window of the business had been smashed out. Several bottles of
liquor were discovered missing
from the store. A rock was found inside of the business.
Liquor Store owner Tammy
Hull contacted Deputies who responded to the scene to investigate. Working
in cooperation with the local community, several leads were developed.
On 04/04/10 Deputy Shane Martin and Neah Bay Police
Officer Brandon Smith arrested Swan at his
residence without incident.
Deputies and Officers
also recovered several of the liquor bottles stolen from the store.
Swan was booked into the
Clallam County Corrections Center for Burglary in the Second Degree,
Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree,
and Theft in the Third Degree. The investigation has been
referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for formal charging.
At this time the investigation is ongoing and more arrests
are anticipated.
Anyone with information
on this crime is asked to contact Deputy Shane Martin toll free at 1-
866-417-0328; extension 3328. Persons
with information on criminal activity in your neighborhoods
are always encouraged to call the sheriff’s department, or visit our
website at www.clallamsheriff.org.
There you will find quick links to our online Neighborhood Watch System
as well as other useful crime prevention tips and resources.
|
|
NEWS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Contact: Jim Borte,
Project Coordinator
(360) 417-2385
Slow
Down or Pay Up Speed Enforcement Patrols
Law
Enforcement personnel across Washington state will be participating in the
Slow Down or Pay Up Speed Enforcement Campaign. The special statewide
effort will run from Sunday, April 11th through Saturday May 1st.
Speeding
and driving too fast for road and weather conditions are among the leading
causes of traffic crashes, deaths and injuries.
The faster you drive the longer it takes you to
stop, the greater force will be involved in any collision, the more
serious your injuries will be and the more expensive your traffic ticket
will be.
The
extra patrols are paid for by a special grant from the Washington Traffic
Safety Commission as part of their Traffic Zero program, which is designed
to reduce the number of traffic deaths in our state to zero by the year
2030. Participating enforcement
agencies
will include: Washington State Patrol, Clallam County Sheriff’s
Department, Port Angeles Police Department, and the Sequim Police
Department. All drivers are
reminded that safe driving is in their hands.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 3-29-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron
360-417-2570
FATAL ACCIDENT FOLLOW UP
The investigation into the traffic accident that claimed
the life of a 17 year old continues today
by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Tyler Braithwaite, 17, of
Sequim, died Sunday afternoon when he apparently swerved to avoid
hitting a deer. The pickup left the Forest Service Road in the Slab Camp
area, and struck a tree. Two others
were in the truck at the time. 18 year old Rachel Myers of Port Angeles
was airlifted to Seattle with leg and facial injuries while 16 year old
Michael Fleming of Sequim was
transported to Olympic Medical Center with a broken wrist and facial
lacerations.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 03/28/2010
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Sgt. John Keegan
(360) 460-6646
Fatal
Vehicle Collision
On March 28 th 2010
at around 5:00 P.M. Deputies of the Clallam County Sheriff.s Department
were dispatched to a single motor
vehicle collision on Forest Service Road 2878. The 2878 Road is
one of the many Forest Service roads in the Slab Camp area of Clallam
County, South of the Sequim
region.
Deputies, Medics, and Fire Department personal were
summoned to the collision by family members
who called 911 after one of the trucks three teenaged passengers called
them help. Upon arrival the
driver of the vehicle was found to be deceased. The center passenger was
air lifted to Harbor View
Medical Center via the Sequim Air Port. The third passenger was transported
to Olympic Medical Center.
According to witnesses the vehicle was traveling downhill
and swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway.
The vehicle traveled off the roadway and hit a tree. The three passengers
were reported not to be wearing
seatbelts.
At this time the investigation is ongoing and will be
handled by the Clallam County Sheriff.s Department
Traffic Investigation Unit.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Release: Immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron
BURGLARY ARREST
Sheriff Bill Benedict announced today the arrest of Ross
W. Lawrence, a 26 year old Port Angeles
man, for the burglary of a business in the 3300 block of East Hwy 101,
Port Angeles. Deputy Mike Backes
was dispatched to the business to a report of a burglary in progress at
approximately 0519 hours on Saturday,
March 27, 2010. The manager of the business had heard someone
in the gated fenced area of the business.
Members of the Port
Angeles Police Department and their K-9 responded to assist. The Port
Angeles Police K-9, Kilo, was able to
locate and capture Lawrence. Lawrence was located hiding in
brush approximately 100 yards outside of the entry point of the fenced
area. A vehicle was located
behind the business, near the point of entry. Several gas cans were
located outside of the fence and
a hand operated fuel pump was located inside of the fenced area.
Ironically, the pump had been
stolen from the business during a burglary which occurred approximately a
month prior. The pump was
recovered, photographed, and turned over to business. It appears that
Lawrence had intended to steal
fuel from the business. At this time it is believed he acted alone.
In his attempt to flee the scene, Lawrence injured his leg
and had to be transported to the hospital for
an evaluation. He was treated and released for incarceration.
Lawrence was booked on
two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree and one count of Possession
of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. He is in custody pending a review
of the case by the Clallam County
Prosecutor’s Office and the filing of charges.
Sheriff Benedict said this is an excellent example of two
agencies working cooperatively to fight crime
and better protect the community.
|
|
PUBLIC NOTICE
Day & Date: Monday, March 22, 2010
Release: Contact: Sheriff Benedict
SHERIFF’S ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEETING
The Sheriff’s Advisory Committee is meeting on Thursday,
March 25, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the courthouse
at 223 E 4th Street,
Port Angeles. The agenda includes comments to the Sheriff from
representatives of each area
of the county. This is an open public meeting.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Friday, 3-19-10
Release: Immediate Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
360-417-2570
DRUG ARREST
A 20 year old Port Angeles man was arrested early Friday
morning, after law enforcement
discovered him passed out in his car along a road west of Port Angeles.
Lower Elwha Tribal Police
Officer Don Kitchen was on routine patrol when he saw a red SUV
parked along the Lower Elwha Road with its engine running. Investigating
further, he saw the driver slumped
over in the driver’s seat. The officer could see the person was breathing
and requested a deputy.
On arrival, Deputy Ken Oien
and the tribal officer found that the male driver had a glass pipe
in his hand, one which is commonly used to ingest controlled substances.
The deputy arrested the man, now
identified as Jesse Seward, for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Once Seward was removed from the car, the deputy saw a small baggie of
what appeared to be methamphetamine on the
passenger seat of the car. This led the deputy
to apply for a search warrant to search the car and Seward.
A small amount of
methamphetamine, suspected Extasy pills, suspected methadone and suspected
oxycodone pills. In addition, digital scales, notes and drug packaging
material were all located within the
vehicle and on Mr. Seward incident to the arrest and search.
Mr. Seward was transported to
the Clallam County Correctional Facility and booked on charges
relating to the possession of controlled substances with the intent to
deliver. The case has been referred to
the Clallam County Prosecutor for review and formal charging.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: March 13, 2010
Release:
Immediate Contact:
Det. Sgt. Lyman T. Moores
On 03/12/10 Clallam
County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested and booked into jail, Steven
T. Bright DOB:
10/18/1979 for: (fifteen
counts) Rape of a Child in the Third Degree R.C.W. 9A.44.079, (54 counts)
Delivery of Controlled Substance (marijuana) to Minor 69.50.406 A, and
(ten counts) Delivery of Controlled Substance (synthetic narcotic) to
Minor, R.C.W. 69.50.406A.
On 03/12/10 Clallam
County Criminal Investigations Detectives and Patrol Deputies executed a
search warrant at Bright’s residence on Old Blyn Hwy in Sequim and
arrested Bright without incident then searched his residence gathering
evidence for the investigation.
On 03/07/10 Clallam
County Sheriff’s Office patrol section initiated the investigation after
receiving a report that Steven Bright was having sexual intercourse with a
fourteen year old female. The
case was turned over to the Clallam County Criminal Investigations Bureau
(CIB) for follow up investigation and Detective John Hollis took over the
role as the primary investigator on the case.
Detective Hollis who is a trained child forensic interviewer met
with the fourteen year old child, confirmed the allegations, then obtained
a search warrant for Bright’s residence and evidentiary items were
seized or noted in Steven’s residence which corroborated the child
statement.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: 2-22-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-417-2570
360-460-4303
OPNET ELECTS NEW
CHAIRMAN
The Olympic Peninsula
Narcotics Enforcement Team is a multijurisdictional unit that is made up
of detectives and investigators from participating law enforcement
agencies in Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Their mission is essentially
to target major drug dealers, suppliers or manufacturers of illegal
substances that are operating in our communities.
Currently, OPNET has
agents from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County
Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police
Department, US Border Patrol and the Washington State Patrol that
participate in the daily operations of the program.
Other area agencies from state, local, tribal and federal
departments participate as well when needed. The program is directed by a
board made up of agency heads from these departments, as well as the
Prosecutors from Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
Annually, the board
elects a chair and co-chair to lead quarterly meetings that aid in
administrative decisions for OPNET and help create and direct policy.
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict has served as the chair for the last
couple of years while the co-chair position was unfilled.
Last week, the board met and elected Jefferson County Sheriff Tony
Hernandez as OPENT Chair for 2010 and Sequim Police Chief Bob Spinks as
co-chair.
All members of OPNET
continue to commit themselves to their mission to investigate those
organizations that introduce or sell illicit drugs in our neighborhoods.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date:
Monday, February 22, 2010
Release: Contact:
Undersheriff Ron Peregrin
Sheriff
Benedict Recognizes Exceptional Service
Sheriff
Bill Benedict recognized employees Saturday night with awards for
exceptional performance and service to the citizens of Clallam County in
2009. The awards are as
follows:
Employee
of the Year,
Animal Control Deputy Tracey Kellas; Medal of Valor and Purple Heart, Deputy Bill Cortani; Sheriff
Star Medal, Civil Deputy Deb Everts and Undersheriff Ron Peregrin; Merit
Award, Sergeant Nick Turner; Lifesaving
Medals: Sergeant Jeff Finley (two awards), Corrections Officers Kellie
Abbott, Steve Brooks, Ray Cooper, Gary Gort, Eric Morris, Dick Pitt, and
Mary Rupprecht; Meritorious Service
Awards, Sgt. Don Wenzl, Sgt. Jeff Finley, Sgt. Grant Lightfoot, Animal
Control Deputy Tracey Kellas, Deputies Jef Boyd, Josh Ley, Emergency
Management Program Coordinators Jamye Wisecup and Penny Linterman, Lead
Food Service Worker Tom Shumway, Administrative Coordinator Chris James; Meritorious Unit Citation: Marine Unit, Deputies Ralph Edgington,
Bobby Cannon, Jef Boyd, Eric Munger and Sgt. Randy Pieper; computer
records management system conversion team: Luke Brown, Sylvia Orth, Jeff
Finley, Karen Roberts, Mary Rupprecht, Matt Blore, Annie Lowe and Chris
James; Jail medical support, Patti Leseur, Chuck Henke and Kathy Traxinger;
Commendation Awards: Sgt. Randy Pieper, Deputies Mel Kempf and Ken
Oien, Corrections Officer Buddy Depew.
Sheriff
Benedict states that the impressive number of awards earned this year is
indicative of a vibrant and healthy department where each and every
individual within it are committed to excellence in service to the public.
I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.
Awards covered a broad spectrum from valor and a purple heart
earned by Deputy Cortani when he was engaged in a gun battle with an armed
assailant, life saving medals for 4 attempted suicides thwarted by
corrections officers, Sheriff Stars for excellence in service and a
multitude of other exceptional performance by many employees.
Animal Control Deputy Tracy Kellas earned Employee of the Year for
her exceptional dedication to service and her management of the
Sheriff’s Office animal control program.
Deputy Kellas has taken the animal control program to a new and
higher level and has provided the best animal control resources possible
for the citizens of Clallam County.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date:
Wednesday February 17, 2010
Contact: Sgt Eric
Kovatch
360-477-0227
Release:
Immediate
Olympic Peninsula Narcotics
Enforcement Team (OPNET)
On February 17, 2010,
detectives assigned to the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET)
and officers with the Sequim Police Department served a search warrant at
a residence in the 1000 block of W Deseret Avenue in Sequim. The search
warrant was the result of an investigation into the sales of
methamphetamine and prescription pills.
Taken into custody
without incident was Heidi E. Irwin-Loran, age 37, and James C. Loran, age
39. A quantity of methamphetamine, prescription pills and cash was seized
from the residence.
Irwin-Loran and Loran
were subsequently booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on
charges of delivery of controlled substances and possession with intent to
deliver controlled substances.
The case file will be
forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for the formal
filing of charges.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 2-16-10
Release: immediate Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED
A 33 year old man is recovering today, after being shot in
the face with a .22 caliber rifle by his roommate.
Deputies and Sheriff’s
Detectives were called to S Alder Lane, just east of Port Angeles about
7:40 pm on Monday, after receiving
calls reporting the shooting. Jacob Griffith, 33, was transported
to Olympic Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his face. The roommate,
54 year old Keith Berlin, was
arrested for attempted murder without incident at the Alder Lane residence
by responding deputies.
The incident developed when an argument occurred between
the roommates concerning an interrupted
phone call. Berlin left the living area where the argument occurred and
returned with the single shot
rifle and shot Griffith. Griffith was able to escape and ran to a neighbor’s
house for help.
It appears Berlin
had been drinking. Deputies
and detectives obtained a search warrant and recovered the rifle and other
evidence from the residence.
Griffith was treated for injuries to his cheek and
released from the hospital.
Berlin was booked
into the Clallam County Corrections Facility for Attempted Murder. The
case has been referred to the
Clallam County Prosecutor for formal charging.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Thursday, 2/11/10
Release: immediate Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
STOLEN TRUCK RECOVERY
Deputies arrested 49 year old Manuel John Luiz of
Edgewood, Washington Wednesday evening,
after the semi-truck he was in possession of was found to be stolen.
Deputies were called to a location along
SR101 near the Old Olympic / O’Brien Rd intersection
in response to a semi tractor / trailer that was essentially stuck on
private property. The truck had
damaged a telephone junction box and the driver was apparently having
trouble with the truck. On deputies arrival, the found Luiz with the
Kenworth.
When they checked the truck, it was found that the truck
had been stolen Tuesday sometime out
of Sumner, Washington. A witness at the location told deputies that Luiz
told them the truck belonged to him.
One interesting note, though the Kenworth was confirmed to
be stolen, the trailer was not. Deputies
are continuing with the investigation today, to confirm ownership of the
empty trailer/container combination.
Owners of the Kenworth have been notified of the recovery of
their truck.
Luiz was arrested and booked into the Clallam County
Corrections Facility for Possession of
a Stolen Vehicle. The Clallam County Prosecutor will review the case for
formal charging.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 2-5-10
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-417-2570
DRUG
ARREST
A 28 year old man was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies
early Friday morning, after the deputies
witnessed a drug transaction in Carlsborg.
Nathan Ruffcorn of Port
Angeles was booked for charges relating to possession and delivery
of marijuana and heroin. Deputy Brian Knutson was parked near Carlsborg
and 101 watching activity at a nearby
store. As he watched, he saw two persons begin interacting
in a manner which made him suspicious that a drug transaction was taking
place. Following up on his suspicions, he
made contact with one of the individuals who admitted
to purchasing marijuana from the other individual identified as Ruffcorn.
With the information, Dep. Knutsen applied for and
received a search warrant for Ruffcorn’s
vehicle. The search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery in marijuana
and heroin and evidence of dealing.
More than $4500 in cash was also seized.
Ruffcorn was arrested and
booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility. The case
will be referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor for formal changing.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date:
Friday February 5, 2010
Contact: Sgt Eric
Kovatch
Release: Immediate
360-477-0227
Olympic Peninsula Narcotics
Enforcement Team (OPNET)
On February 5,
2010, detectives assigned to the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement
Team (OPNET), officers with the Port Angeles Police Department and
officers with the Sequim Police Department executed a search warrant in
the 800 block of South C Street in Port Angeles.
The search warrant was
the result of an investigation into the sales of cocaine. Taken into
custody without incident was Robert L. Stone, age 23. Stone was booked
into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on charges of delivery of a
controlled substance, specifically cocaine.
The case file will be
referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for the formal filing
of charges.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Wednesday
February 3, 2010
Contact: Sgt Eric
Kovatch
Release: Immediate
360-477-0227
Olympic Peninsula Narcotics
Enforcement Team (OPNET)
On February 3, 2010,
detectives assigned to the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET)
and officers with the Port Angeles Police Department executed two search
warrants in the city of Port Angeles. Both search warrants were the result
of investigations conducted by OPNET into the manufacturing and sales of
marijuana.
The first search
warrant served was in the 2300 block of W 18th Street. Growing
marijuana, processed marijuana and evidence of the sales of marijuana were
located in the residence. Sherry N. Buchanan, age 26, and Joshua W.
Buchanan, age 30, were taken into custody without incident.
Sherry and Joshua
Buchanan were booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on
charges of delivery of a controlled substance, manufacturing marijuana and
possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
The second search
warrant was served in the 2100 block of W 15th Street. Growing
marijuana, processed marijuana and evidence of the sales of marijuana were
located in the residence and outbuildings. David J. James, age 48, and
Michelle A. Bateham, age 30, were taken into custody without incident.
James and Bateham were
booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on charges of
delivery of a controlled substance, manufacturing marijuana and possession
of marijuana with intent to deliver.
All case file
paperwork will be forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office
for the formal filing of charges.
People with
information about indoor and outdoor marijuana growing operations can
report their information anonymously and receive a reward if that
information leads to the arrest of the offender(s). If you do have such
information and wish to report it, please call 1-800-388-GROW (4769).
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Friday January 29, 2010
Contact: Det. Sgt. Lyman Moores
Release: Immediate
(360) 460-4319
Burglary
Task Force Investigation Leads to Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Hand Gun
In the early
morning hours, on January 29, 2010 Olympic Peninsula Burglary Task Force (OPBTF)
arrested Miles Keith Stayton, age 25, on 3 counts of Possession of Stolen
Firearm. Search warrant
was executed at Stayton’s residence located on the west side of Port
Angeles. Stayton was booked into county jail where he awaits
formal charging by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Members
of Port Angeles Police Department and the Washington State Patrol (WSP),
SWAT Team executed the search warrant at a private residence in the 1300
block of West 16th Street in Port Angeles.
Detectives
from the Port Angeles Police Department had earlier requested the
assistance of the (WSP) SWAT unit in the service of this search warrant.
This request was based on facts developed from a long term joint
“Burglary Task Force” investigation which indicated that suspects at
the residence are involved in several burglaries where drugs or weapons
have been stolen, and that some of these subjects may be armed.
It is believed that some of these subjects may have traded firearms
for cash and illegal prescription medications.
One of the subjects at the residence is reported to have received
specialized weapons training while in the military.
Given
these and other facts, Detectives completed an objective criteria
“threat assessment.”
This assessment showed that consultation with WSP, SWAT commander
was indicated.
Based on this consultation, WSP and PAPD Detectives completed an
operational plan for search warrant service which was executed early in
the morning on January 29th.
A WSP, SWAT unit consisting of 13 personnel were supported by 9
officers from PAPD in the initial execution of the search warrant.
Four subjects were detained at the residence, several handguns were
located as well as a Pit Bull, dog.
Once
the residence was deemed “safe”, Detectives began the methodical
process of completing the search of the single family residence and
detached garage.
During the initial phase of the warrant service, traffic was
stopped briefly on West 16 th Street and the Port Angeles Fire Department
Ambulance was staged several blocks away.
Miles Keith Stayton was subsequently arrested and booked into the
Clallam County Jail and the Olympic Peninsula Burglary Task Force
Detectives continue to follow up on leads associated with the case and
other burglaries.
If
anyone is suspicious of property that they have recently purchased such
as: guns, computers or electronic equipment, and they suspect it may be
stolen, they should contact the Olympic Peninsula Burglary Task Force,
through their local law enforcement agency. Remember the old saying when
buying property, “if deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Sergeant
Randy Pieper
Courthouse
Escapee Captured
A
Sequim man, 20 year old Sean Scott Farren, was apprehended at 3:00 am
early this morning at an apartment in the Elk Creek Apartments in Sequim.
Farren had escaped custody by fleeing from the Clallam County
Courthouse after being remanded into custody at an appearance in the Drug
Court in Superior Court on January 21st .
Deputies
Ralph Edgington, Brian Knutson and Sequim Police Officers Rick Larson and
Chris Wright working together obtained a search warrant for an apartment
where Farren and his wife were currently staying.
Farren subsequently surrendered without incident and was taken to
the Clallam County Correctional Facility.
|
|
PUBLIC NOTICE
Day
& Date:
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Release: Contact:
Sheriff Benedict
SHERIFF’S
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
The
Sheriff’s Advisory Committee is meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2010
from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center in the
basement of the courthouse at 223 E 4th Street, Port Angeles.
The agenda includes election of officers and confirmation of
representatives. This is an
open public meeting.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Monday January
25, 2010
Contact: Sgt Eric
Kovatch
Release:
Immediate
360-477-0227
OPNET
On
January 10, 2010, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s
Department were summoned to a residence in the 100 block of Meridian Way,
Chimacum, WA, in unincorporated Jefferson County, regarding a call for
service that was not drug related. During the investigation of that
incident, deputies developed information that a marijuana growing
operation was in an outbuilding at that location.
The
information was given to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department
detective that is assigned to the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement
Team (OPNET). That information was subsequently presented to a Jefferson
County Superior Court Judge, who signed a search warrant authorizing a
search of the residence and outbuildings at that location.
On
January 25, 2010, OPNET detectives and Jefferson County deputies executed
the search warrant. Detectives discovered 341 live marijuana plants in an
outbuilding. Processed marijuana was found in that outbuilding and the
main residence.
Taken
into custody was Randall L. Heppell, 64 years of age, of Chimacum, WA.
Heppell was subsequently booked into the Jefferson County Correctional
Facility on the charges of Manufacturing Marijuana and Possession of
Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.
The
entire case file will be forwarded to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s
Office for the formal filing of charges.
People
with information about indoor and outdoor marijuana growing operations can
report their information anonymously and receive a reward if that
information leads to the arrest of the offender(s). If you do have such
information and wish to report it, please call 1-800-388-GROW (4769).
The
attached photograph is of the main grow in one of the outbuildings.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Release: Immediate
Contact:
Ron Sukert, Jail Superintendent (360)
417-2356
Corrections
Officer Promoted To Sergeant
Clallam
County Sheriff Bill Benedict promoted Corrections Officer Don Wenzl to the
position of Corrections Sergeant at a ceremony held on Wednesday, January
20th in the Emergency Operations Center of the Courthouse.
Sheriff Benedict noted that the Port Angeles resident has been involved in
a number of important department projects and served as the team leader on
the MSP Computer during his tenure. Sergeant Wenzl is a 12 year veteran
with the Corrections Division of the Sheriff Department.
Jail
Superintendent Ron Sukert who heads the Jail Division for the department
said that Wenzl has held most of the assignments positions in the Jail and
expressed his full confidence in his supervisory abilities.
Wenzl
is a resident of Port Angeles. He is married with two children. A total of
45 department employees, friends, and well wishers were in attendance.
Wenzl replaces Sergeant Al Collins who retired on Tuesday following 30
years of service.
|
|
JOINT NEWS
RELEASE
Sheriff’s
Office & Treasurer’s Office
Day
& Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Release:
Immediate
Theft
Investigation Continues
The
investigation concerning missing funds from the Clallam County
Treasurer’s Office that began last July continues. The Washington State
Auditor’s Office has completed a review of the Treasury Office records
and found in excess of $500,000 (half a million) missing. The audit and
investigation was triggered by the action of a county employee in the
Treasurer’s Office, who has been terminated by the County.
The
full investigation report is expected to be turned over to the Washington
State Attorney General for possible criminal charges by the end of the
month.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Friday, January 8,
2010
Contact: Undersheriff Ron Peregrin
Release:
Immediate
Phone: (360) 417-2385
Two Dead in Fatal Plane Crash
Two people were killed in a single engine fixed wing plane
crash that occurred shortly after 2 pm on
Friday afternoon near the west end of the runway at Sequim Valley Airport
located just west of Sequim,
according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department.
The deceased have been
identified as Carroll B. Larson age 68 of Sequim who was the pilot of
the aircraft and his passenger, Robert
Reandeau, Sr., age 61, also of Sequim.
Witnesses say that the
plane was conducting a series of touch and go landing type maneuvers,
when it crashed nose down into a
recently plowed field. There was no fire or explosion involved.
The plane, owned by the pilot was a RV8 fixed wing experimental aircraft
built in 2008.
Responding agencies
included three fire engines and three paramedic units from the Clallam
County Fire District #3, as well as,
several units from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department. The
Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Board are
involved in the investigation.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Thursday, December 24, 2009
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Sergeant Randy Pieper
STRONG ARM ROBBERY
41 year old Julie McGuire was robbed of her change when
she walked outside the Safeway store on
highway 101 east of Port Angeles early this morning. The woman had just
finished shopping at about 1:40
am and was walking to her car with family members. McGuire had shopping
bags and about eighty dollars in
her hands as she walked to her vehicle. The
suspect approached McGuire, yelled her name then grabbed her money and
fled on foot. The woman and her
family members chased the suspect eventually losing the suspect as he was
last seen north on Monroe Road.
One of the family members recognized the suspect and provided the
information to responding Deputies.
Deputy Eric Munger was able to track the suspect’s
location during the subsequent investigation. Deputy
Munger, along with Deputies Ralph Edgington, Mark Millet, and Bob Cannon
went to a residence on Monroe
Road and took the suspect into custody without incident. The money was
not recovered. Arrested
was 21 year old Christian C. Leigh of Port Angles for Robbery in the
second degree and Theft in the
third degree.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 12-7-2009
Release:
immediate
Contact: Sergeant Brian King
360-460-7273
Deputy Bill Cortani named 2009
WACOPS Law Enforcement Officer of
the Year
Sheriff Bill Benedict is proud to announce the selection
of Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy
William “Bill” Cortani as the 2009 Washington Council of Police and
Sheriffs (WACOPS) Law Enforcement Officer
of the Year. Deputy Cortani was unanimously chosen
for the honor by the WACOPS Executive Board on Friday, December 4th.
The purpose of the award is to
provide recognition of clearly exceptional and outstanding performance
of duties, which bring honor and distinction to the officer, their
department, and their profession.
Deputy Cortani was nominated for
this prestigious honor after demonstrating outstanding performance
of duty, exceptional professional judgement, and conspicuous courage
during the investigation of a trespass complaint
at a beach front cabin east of Neah Bay on
January 19th,
2009. It was there that Deputy Cortani located 59 year old suspect Scott
Lincoln Davis who shot Deputy Cortani in the
upper left arm and hip. Wounded, Deputy Cortani
obtained a position of cover amongst beach logs behind the residence.
Davis, meanwhile, armed himself with a
shotgun and advanced on Deputy Cortani’s location. Deputy
Cortani returned fire with his duty weapon and shot Davis twice, disabling
him and halting the threat. Deputy Cortani
held Davis at gunpoint for approximately one half hour
until the arrival of back-up officers. Deputy Cortani and Davis were
airlifted to the Harborview Trauma Unit in
Seattle where their injuries were treated.
The Washington Council of Police
and Sheriffs (WACOPS), a professional organization whose
primary goal is to protect the rights and quality of life of law
enforcement officers, is widely recognized
as the largest, oldest, and most influential organization representing
law enforcement professionals in the State of
Washington. WACOPS is made up ofapproximately 110 law enforcement agencies
totaling over 5000 law enforcement officers statewide.
Deputy Cortani will be awarded
with a medallion and a framed certificate detailing the achievements
which led to the award. The award will be presented at the WACOPS Winter
Membership Meeting in January at the Olympia Red Lion Hotel. For
historical record a WACOPS Law Enforcement
Officer the Year plaque, bearing Deputy Cortani’s name,
will hang in the WACOPS offices in Olympia.
On May 15th,
2009, Deputy Cortani was recognized by Sheriff Benedict for his actions on
January 19th
when he was presented with the National
Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor and
Purple Heart.
More information on Washington
Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS), and the WACOPS
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, can be found at www.wacops.org.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 12-6-09
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron 360-417-2570
360-460-4303
FUGITIVE
CAUGHT
The man that escaped from law enforcement as they searched
for stolen property at his residence
on 11-20-09 has been captured.
Christopher Ray Ahlstead, 48, of Agnew, was arrested
Saturday afternoon by the Portland
Area US Marshal’s apprehension unit. The arrest came after Clallam
County Detectives, working with other
law enforcement agencies, followed numerous leads which
lead them to Rainier, Oregon. There, Clallam County Detectives confirmed
Ahlstead was residing near the small town
near Longview, Washington. However, Ahlstead
was not there at the time the detectives identified this location, but
enough information was developed to
pass on to the Marshal’s Office. The Marshals staked out the
residence and arrested Ahlstead on his return Saturday about 3:30 pm.
Ahlstead had two warrants outstanding for his arrest; one
for $150,000 and the other for $10,000.
Ahlstead is being held in Oregon at the Columbia County
Jail. The extradition will begin to
allow his return to face charges in Clallam County. At least seven charges
related to stolen property from area
construction sites and escape is being considered. This includes
the theft of a backhoe type tractor taken from Sequim Bay State Park
valued at about $45,000.
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Release:
Immediate
Contact: Sheriff Bill Benedict
SHERIFF’S OFFICE ACHIEVES
ACCREDITATION
On November 18, 2009 the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office
was recognized by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chief’s
(WASPC) and presented its Accreditation
award. The award recognized the Sheriff’s Office as having complied with
over 140 best practices and professional
standards for law enforcement agencies in Washington
State. Clallam County joins six other county sheriff offices in Washington
that are currently accredited through WASPC.
Becoming accredited took almost
two years of hard work and perseverance by all department
members. Special recognition goes to Chris James, CCSO Administrative
Coordinator, for serving as the accreditation
manager. Chris spent many long hours organizing,
coordinating, and collating the newly revised CCSO Policy Manual.
Retired Sheriff Steve Kernes (Clallam
County Sheriff from 1978 to 1990) played an instrumental
role in helping draft the new policy to conform to best law enforcement
practices and Washington State law. Sheriff
Kernes was responsible for the original accreditation
award received by Clallam County in 1988. At that time, Clallam County
Sheriff’s Office became the first county in
Washington State to become accredited. That accreditation
expired in 1996.
Becoming accredited was one of
Sheriff Benedict’s highest priorities upon assuming office
in 2007. Proven benefits of WASPC
accreditation include:
• State and local
acknowledgment of professional competence.
• Increased credibility
with governing body.
• Increased pride in the
agency.
• Systemized
self-assessment.
• Broadened
perspectives.
• Intensified
administrative and operational effectiveness.
• Confidence that
recruitment, selection, and promotion processes are fair and
equitable.
• Strengthened
understanding of agency policies and procedures by all police
personnel.
• Decreased
susceptibility to litigation and costly civil court settlements.
• Potential reduction in
premiums for liability insurance.
• Greater public
confidence and improved morale in the agency.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have
reached this milestone and will display
the Accreditation Plaque in the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
the courthouse.

|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day
& Date:
11-25-09
Release:
immediate
Contact: CCD Ron Cameron
360-460-4303
STOLEN PROPERTY
/ ESCAPE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The
investigation into the construction site theft cases continues as does the
search for the main suspect, Christopher Ahlsteadt, 48.
On
Wednesday, Clallam County Detectives, working with patrol deputies,
recovered the newer model John Deere 110 4x4 backhoe taken from Sequim Bay
State Park earlier this month. The tractor, valued at about $45,000, was
located in a wooded area along Old Gardiner Road in Jefferson County.
Authorities
were able to locate the tractor and some other items through continuous
follow up and interviews of persons suspected to have information and that
may be acquainted with Ahlsteadt. Some of the other items that have been
recovered include lumber and other building materials.
Although
Ahlstead is still at large, deputies and detectives have developed some
leads that they are following up on that may lead them to Ahlstead’s
whereabouts. A warrant has
been issued for Ahlstead’s arrest.
Clallam
County Sheriff’s personnel as well as officers and detectives from the
Sequim Police Department continue to work together in recovering stolen
property connected with this event. At
least six theft and/or burglary cases have been identified where stolen
property has been recovered.
|
|
NEWS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, November 19, 2009 4 PM
Contact: Jayme Wisecup, Emergency
Management
Phone: (360) 417-2525
Forecast
Predicts More Rain and Wind
The U.S. Weather Forecast for Clallam
County says that residents can expect more rain and wind
as the latest in a series of dangerous
storms continue to pound the Olympic Peninsula. Winds along the
North Coast of the Pacific Ocean are expected to blow between 35 and 45
miles per hour with potentially higher gusts.
Rainfall is also expected to continue
tonight before tapering off through Friday morning. The 24 hour total for
the Olympic Peninsula could be between 4 and 6 inches.
The snow level is forecast to rise to
5,500 feet, which will cause melting snow that will add to the already
swollen rivers and streams. The continued ground saturation conditions
combined with the winds could cause more trees to become uprooted and
additional branches to fall.
Temperatures are expected to cool
overnight and fall to near 2,000 feet by Friday afternoon. In addition, a
High Surf Warning has been posted along the Pacific Coast which could
produce waves between 20 and 25 feet in height. The warning will be in
effect until 4 am on Friday, November 20th.
A Flood Warning has been issued for the
Bogachiel River near La Push which is expected to crest slightly above its
official flood stage of 37 feet. Flood Watches have also been issued for
both the Elwha and Dungeness Rivers. Levels on the two rivers could
rise near their flood stage. The Elwha Flood Stage is 20 feet at the
MacDonald Bridge on State Route 101. The Official Flood Stage for the
Dungeness River is seven feet near the mouth of the river.
There is also the threat of landslides on
the Olympic Peninsula due to adverse weather conditions. That will create
the possibility falling trees and limbs that could land on power lines and
roads. These conditions could also cause debris on coastal roads and
beaches from possible high tide surges. There is also a Flood Watch for
smaller streams on the Olympic Peninsula. Residents living near the
affected rivers and streams or drivers traveling near them are advised to
monitor conditions and to extra caution to insure their own safety.
Everyone should make the necessary
preparations and take safety precautions to protect themselves and
property from harm. It is important to take due care and cautions to avoid
danger. Citizens are reminded not to drive through standing water or
flooded areas. If you encounter dangerous situations that threaten your
and anyone else’s safety be sure to call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
Be sure to have the necessary emergency supplies ready to deal with
hazardous conditions and situations.
Individuals should heed emergency information that can be found on radio
and television stations as well as the internet.
The following are additional
information sources that you can use:
For more specifics visit: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/
Click on the words near the color coded key (right side of page) that
matches the map coding near your area of interest for reports.
To monitor river levels and conditions
visit the following link on the internet: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=county_cd
|
|
NEWS RELEASE
Day & Date: 11-13-09
Release: immediate
Contact:
Sgt. Randy Pieper 360-460-4316
CCD Ron Cameron 360-460-4303
BURGLARY SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Deputies responded to the area of Red Deer Drive, off Blue
Mountain road at about 2:40 on
11-12-09 to a call of a burglary in progress. Deputies eventually learned
that a homeowner came home to find a
car parked in the driveway with a female occupant in the
passenger seat. As the homeowner got out of their car, a male came from
the back of the house with one hand
behind his back, claiming to have a gun. The male got into their car
and left. As the suspects left, the homeowner recognized items in the car
that had been taken from inside the
residence. The homeowner also confirmed that the front door had
been pried open.
The homeowner was able to
give the deputies excellent description of the people and the vehicle
including a license number. As deputies responded to the home, Sgt. Randy
Pieper began checking the area along SR101 for the suspects. As he drove
by the trailer court at 256832 SR 101,
he saw a vehicle matching the description given by the homeowner
parked at one of the small trailers. Investigating further, Sgt. Pieper
positively identified the vehicle as the car.
Sgt. Pieper and other
deputies had the occupants of the trailer come out and they were identified
as Alvin L. Witherspoon, 35, and Violet Conklin, 29. The homeowner was
escorted by deputies to the trailer park
where Witherspoon, Conklin and the car were positively
identified as being at the residence on Red Deer Drive.
Deputies obtained a search
warrant for the trailer as well as the car. The investigators located
items that were missing from the homeowners residence. These items
included jewelry and pillow cases,
likely used for carrying items from the house. No firearm was located.
Alvin Witherspoon was booked into the Clallam County
Correctional Facility for Burglary 1st
degree and Theft 3rd.
Conklin was interviewed and released.
The suspects in this case
were identified and captured very soon after the report due to the
excellent observations of the homeowner. Their ability to describe the
suspects and the car gave the deputies
the information they needed to find the suspect and react. At the
same time, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind
citizens to be extremely careful when
meeting someone in such a situation. Here, the contact with the suspects
was unavoidable the way it played out and the homeowner never confronted
the suspects. They simply allowed them
to leave, taking in as much information through their
observations as they could.
The case has been referred to
the Clallam County Prosecutor for review and formal charging.
|
|