Court News - May 4, 2016

Columbia County Superior Court

May 4, 2016

Sentencing/Dismissals

Elijio A. Mendoza, 31, Hermiston; charged with violation of the controlled substances act – possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Accepted a plea agreement on April 20 and was sentenced to six months in the county jail and $1680 in legal financial obligations.

Michael Dean Wallace, 59, West Richland entered pleas of not guilty to one count burglary in the second degree, one count possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, theft in the third degree and malicious mischief in the third degree. Wallace is accused of stealing copper from the US Army Corps of Engineers at Little Goose Dam. The case was dismissed by prosecution without prejudice due to insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lonnie Ray Marick, 39, Waitsburg; charged with one count violation of uniform controlled substances act – possession of methamphetamine, one count second degree theft and one count of criminal trespass for crimes occurring in Oct. 2015; one count of second degree burglary, one count of first degree theft, and one count of first degree malicious mischief for crimes occurring in Feb. 2016. Accepted a plea agreement amending the second and third counts on the Feb. 2016 charges to second degree theft and second degree malicious mischief on April 20. Marick was sentenced to seven months, 90 days and charged $600 in legal financial obligations for the 2015 charges and was sentenced to seven months and $2,500 in legal financial obligations for the 2016 charges. He will be credited time served.

Trials Set

Alex L. Ahumada, 31, Lewiston. Charged with one count of violation of the controlled substances act – possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Joined a CrR3.6 motion to suppress evidence filed on behalf of Julia Richardson who was arrested during the same incident at the Best Western Hotel in Dayton on Feb. 18. The motion claims the prosecution had insufficient evidence for a search warrant because the evidence was “supported by mere personal belief and unreliable informants.” Trial and 3.6 hearing date is set for May 19-20.

Jeffrey Allen Brooks, 24, Dayton; Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of methamphetamine. Brooks is being held on $10,000 bond and court denied a request for a personal recognizance bond. Trial reset for June 30-July1.

Delores Ann Adams, 63, Spokane. Charged with harassment – threats to kill. Trial set for June 30-July 1.

Other

John Burton Cox, 27, Dayton. Originally charged with one count of unlawful imprisonment – domestic violence, one count assault in the fourth degree – domestic violence, one count harassment – domestic violence, one count of assault in the fourth degree. Charges were amended to add counts 5-14 of violation of a protection order, a Class C felony, and two counts of intimidating a witness, a Class B felony.

Hector Vela, 54, Dayton; charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a person under 18 years of age, one count of delivery/manufacture/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and one count of possession of over 1 oz. of usable marijuana. Waived right to a speedy trial and struck May 19 trial date.