News Releases - October 2009

NEWS RELEASE 

October 28, 2009

Robert Fredrick Armbruster, 49 of Mineral, was convicted by a jury on October 28, 2009, in Lewis County Superior Court for Assault in the Second Degree - Domestic Violence. Armbruster was charged by Information on August 31, 2009. The Defendant is facing a standard sentencing range of 13-17 months in prison. Sentencing is set for October 30, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. in front of Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler.

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October 27, 2009

Scott Franklin Garrison, age 21, of Clackamas, Oregon, was convicted by a jury on October 27, 2009, in Lewis County Superior Court for Possession of a Controlled Substance (less than 40 grams of marijuana). Garrison was charged by Information on January 2, 2009 with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Ecstasy) and Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana). The jury acquitted the defendant of the Ecstasy charge.

Mr. Garrison was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail. The court suspended 88 of the 90 days, and gave Garrison credit for two days already served.

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On October 23, 2009, after Bench Trial in Lewis County District Court, Judge Michael P. Roewe found the Defendant Jacob I. Simon, age 18 of Mossyrock, not guilty of the crime of Minor in Possession and/or Consumption of Alcohol. The Defendant was originally charged by citation on July 31, 2009.

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Sarah Dungan, 20 of Boulder City, Nevada, originally charged by Information on March 6, 2009 with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, was found not guilty by Judge James Lawler on October 23, 2009.

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Stanley John Noga, III, 31 of Chehalis, originally charged by Information on May 20, 2009, with Assault of a Child in the Third Degree, was found not guilty by a jury on October 22, 2009.

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Hugo Flores Suarez, 23 of Centralia was sentenced on October 19, 2009, by Superior Court Judge James Lawler. Mr. Flores Suarez was charged by Amended Information on October 19, 2009 with Malicious Mischief in the First Degree, False Statements to a Public Servant, and Bail Jumping, pled guilty as charged, was subject to a sentencing range of 0 to 90 days as a First Time Offender. Judge Lawler sentenced Mr. Flores Suarez to 75 days in jail.

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October 26, 2009

Carl Robert Stanley, 21, of Mossyrock, was convicted by Judge Nelson Hunt after a stipulated facts bench trial on October 23, 2009 in Lewis County Superior Court for Possession of Cocaine. Carl Stanley was charged by Information on July 24, 2009 with Possession of Cocaine. A motion to suppress the evidence was heard on October 2, 2009. The motion was denied. Carl Stanley was sentenced to thirty days in jail. The sentence is stayed pending an appeal.

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On October 22, 2009, after the second day of jury trial in Lewis County District Court, a jury found the Defendant Daniel G. McCain, age 38 of Chehalis, guilty of the crime of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree – Domestic Violence and not guilty of the crime of Assault in the Fourth Degree – Domestic Violence. The Defendant was originally charged by prosecutor complaint for an incident occurring on April 19, 2009. Sentencing will take place on October 27, 2009 before Judge R.W. Buzzard in Lewis County District Court.

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October 16, 2009

On October 16, 2009, Victor Bonagofski, age 66 of Centralia, was found guilty after Bench Trial of Driving While License Suspended third degree by Judge R.W. Buzzard in Lewis County District Court. The Defendant was originally charged by citation on February 17, 2009. The Defendant was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Defendant was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, jail costs of $4500, and other court costs and assessments.

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On October 16, 2009, Nicholas Kos, age 22 of Onalaska, was found not guilty after Bench Trial of Unlawful Hunting of Big Game second degree and Unlawful Transportation of Fish or Wildlife first degree by Judge R.W. Buzzard in Lewis County District Court. The Defendant was originally charged by complaint on March 31, 2009.

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October 13, 2009

Michael James Stedham, 20, of Napavine pled guilty to Animal Cruelty in the First Degree on October 12, 2009 in Lewis County Superior Court. Stedham had been charged by Information with that crime on August 6, 2009. Stedham was subject to a standard sentencing range of four to twelve months and received eight months in the Lewis County Jail. Stedham was also ordered to reimburse the county $1000 in jail costs along with standard fees and assessments. As part of his sentence, Stedham is prohibited from owning, possessing or caring for any animals.

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Damion Haddican, 17 years old, of Yelm, was found guilty of Robbery in the Second Degree at a fact-finding hearing held on October 13, 2009 before Judge Nelson Hunt, Lewis County Superior Court, Juvenile Division. Haddican was sentenced to 52 to 65 weeks in Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration.

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Tracy D. Hellem, 48, of Toledo was convicted of Telephonic Harassment by a jury on October 12, 2009 in Lewis County District Court. Hellem was charged with that crime by citation on June 7, 2009. The Defendant was sentenced to 365 days in jail, with all 365 days suspended, a $500 fine, and standard court costs. The Court also required the defendant to obtain an alcohol and drug evaluation within 30 days.

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October 9, 2009

On October 9, 2009 Lewis County prevailed in its forfeiture claim against convicted marijuana grower Randy Harkness. First arrested and convicted of growing marijuana on the property in 2003, Harkness was arrested again in 2004. Police found in excess of 500 plants in an outbuilding on the property, as well as enough power, equipment and chemicals to maintain the commercial sized crop.

In November 2007, subsequent to the Defendant’s second conviction, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office filed a civil a forfeiture action against the property held by Mr. Harkness. As a result of the Court’s order, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office owns a one-half interest in the property. Mr. Harkness’ mother still owns the other half.

Proceeds from any future sale of this property will be used to fund drug interdiction.

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On October 9, 2009, Raymond McIver, age 49 of Longview, was found guilty after Bench Trial of Unlawful Use of Department Lands by Judge Michael P. Rowe in Lewis County District Court. The Defendant was originally charged by citation on May 26, 2007. The Defendant was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 87 days of which were suspended, and credit was given for time served. The defendant was also order to pay a $150 fine, as well as court costs, warrant fees and assessments.

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October 5, 2009

Tanna M. Novak, 25, of Centralia, Washington was convicted by a jury on October 5, 2009 in Lewis County District Court for Violation of a Protection Order. Novak was charged by Complaint on May 6, 2009 with that crime. The Court sentenced Ms. Novak to 365 days in jail with 360 days suspended and a $750 fine.

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Kelsie Lovenia Villalobos, 26, of McCleary, Washington was convicted of three counts of Forgery by Judge Richard Brosey on October 2, 2009 in Lewis County Superior Court. Villalobos was charged by Information on August 5, 2009 with Identity Theft and three counts of Forgery. The Court has reserved ruling on the charge of Identity Theft until October 16, 2009. Villalobos will also be sentenced on that date.

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October 2, 2009

Daniel Andrew Michael Ward, age 20 of Rochester, was sentenced on October 2, 2009 by Superior Court Judge James Lawler. Ward was charged by Information on February 19, 2009 with Assault in the Second Degree while armed with a deadly weapon and Malicious Harassment and was later found guilty of Assault in the Second Degree while armed with a deadly weapon, but acquitted of Malicious Harassment, by a jury on July 29, 2009. Ward was subject to a sentencing range of three to nine months preceded by a twelve month sentence enhancement. Judge Lawler sentenced Ward to 21 months in prison and ordered him to pay costs, fees, penalties and assessments.

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