Court News

First Appearance/Arraignment:

Dewey D. Bell, 74, Dayton; first appearance on charges of first-degree animal cruelty, a Class C felony, and unlawful aiming or discharge of a firearm, a gross misdemeanor. A neighbor has alleged that Bell shot the neighbor’s dog in the eye with bird shot in June. Bell alleged that the neighbor’s dog were being aggressive toward him and his wife and that he meant to shoot the dog in the backside.

Salvador D. Saucedo, 25, Milton-Freewater; first appearance on charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle, a Class C felony, and third-degree driving with license suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor. According to court documents, Saucedo was the driver during a pursuit on July 31 through Dayton, starting on North Front Street and ending at 101 Klingenstein Drive, during which the fleeing vehicle allegedly drove 45 miles per hour on city streets, did not signal turns or stop at stop signs. The deputy’s report states that Saucedo was located hiding in a crawl space inside the home at that address.

Trials Set:

Dave N. Schmitt, 55, Texas; charged in July with second-degree theft and second-degree malicious mischief relating to the allegedly illegal collection of artifacts from the Umatilla National Forest in 2013 during an archeological survey. Trial set.

Christina L. Johnson, 45, Starbuck; charged in July with second-degree assault for the alleged strangulation of her husband; driving under the influence (DUI); disorderly conduct for abusive language; and contempt of court for disobeying the judge’s orders of release after leaving the county jail. Trial set.

Nicholas A. Beard, 25, Spokane; charged last October with attempting to elude, reckless driving, and DUI. Trial date rescheduled.

Steven D. Peterson, 51, Walla Walla; charged last July with second-degree assault strangulation – domestic violence. Trial date rescheduled.

Ronald R. White, 54, Kennewick; charged last October with two counts of violation of a no-contact order. Trial date rescheduled.

Curtis A. Jones, 31, Hermiston; charged in July with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and second-degree criminal trespass. Trial set.

Zachary T. Koehler, 28, College Place; charged with second-degree theft. Koehler was allegedly involved in the theft of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. Trial set.

Other Legal Action:

Jeremy D. Hulquist, 35, Richland; charged in August 2014 with three counts of 1st degree assault – domestic violence with a firearms enhancement. Hulquist’s attorney has requested the suppression of certain evidence from his case; the state filed a motion in opposition to this request. Case continued.