Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Centralia woman accused of breaking into Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer’s home is facing a recommended prison term of seven years after admitting her crimes to a judge yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court.

Janet L. Gleason, 43, pleaded guilty yesterday in two separate cases, one for drugs, the other for the Centralia burglary.

For the Feb. 10, 2015 offense on Mount Vista Road, she is convicted of residential burglary, first-degree trafficking in stolen property and second-degree malicious mischief.

For her Sept. 17, 2015 encounter with detectives, she is convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain was asked to handle her case, because of the conflict. She is represented by Michael Underwood.

Court documents indicate McClain will ask that she be sentenced to 84 months when she returns to court on May 11.
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For background, read “Role reversal: Lewis County prosecutor reflects on becoming a burglary victim” from Friday November 6, 2015, here

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The 36-year-old Chehalis man accused of hugging a 9-year-old year-old female student in an inappropriate manner went before a judge today where a prosecutor asked the charge of fourth-degree assault be modified to include a special allegation it occurred “with sexual motivation.”

James Denning was arrested yesterday and booked into the Lewis County Jail but was released prior to today’s hearing in Chehalis Municipal Court.

Chehalis police yesterday said the arrest followed an investigation of a March 14 report from staff at R.E. Bennett Elementary School on South Market Boulevard in Chehalis. Deputy Chief Randy Kaut said Denning was not a teacher, but was an employee who helped at recess.

The Chehalis School DIstrict announced on its web site Denning was a temporary playground assistant. He was placed on paid administrative leave March 14 pending further investigation and has resigned.

Assault in the fourth degree is a gross misdemeanor.

School authorities offered a small amount of detail on the incident.

“The school district has been asked if it is against school policy for employees to hug students,” the web site message stated. “The answer is: no, it is not generally inappropriate for employees to hug students. But, this case involved an allegation of an extended hug that went past the time when the student communicated a wish to break the contact.”

The court hearing was brief and Denning requested a court-appointed lawyer.

He said his next hearing is April 20.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 26-year-old man was brought before a judge yesterday afternoon in connection with an incident in which he allegedly barged into a Chehalis apartment with a knife, blaming the resident for his sister getting beat up.

Talen C.A. Maddux allegedly punched the victim, held the weapon near his chest and throat and said at one point he might bite his ear off.

When police arrived to the home on the 200 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue the evening of Jan. 26, they found Justin Steadham visibly shaken, with a bloody nose, according to court documents.

Maddux is charged with second-degree assault, first-degree burglary and attempted first-degree robbery. Court documents show him with a Chehalis address.

A judge yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court set his bail at $75,000.

The charges were filed on Feb. 29, after the victim and a witness identified Maddux from a photo montage, according to court documents.

Police were told Steadham heard a knock on his door and opened it, thinking it was a friend.

The visitor walked in, continued to hit the victim and pushed him onto a couch, the documents allege.

According to the charging documents, while there, Maddux put the knife down and told the victim to go in the bedroom with him to look for valuables. He fled when another individual arrived at the apartment.

Maddux was arrested and booked on Wednesday. The affidavit of probable cause stated he had two active warrants and multiple assault convictions.

His arraignment is scheduled for next Thursday.

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – One man was airlifted this morning and another transported to Providence Centralia Hospital following a single-vehicle collision on southbound Interstate 5 near Napavine.

Firefighters called about 5 a.m. to the scene near milepost 70 found the car off the road and in the tress, according to Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue.

“One patient was trapped and had to be extricated, Firefighter Brad Bozarth said. “That patient was flown to a trauma center.”

The Washington State Patrol reported troopers did not know which man was driving the 2003 Lexis. They indicated Jonathan D. George, 19, of Everson, and Robert P. Olson, 26, from Maple Falls, were both taken to Providence.

The wreck follows by less than twelve hours another single-vehicle injury incident just five miles to the south.

Troopers and aid called just after 7 p.m. yesterday to the southbound lanes of the freeway northeast of Winlock found a teenager traveling with two children lost control of his car, headed through a ditch and struck a tree.

Marquis M. Rial, 18, of Centralia, was arrested for driving under the influence.

His 1-year-old passenger was reportedly uninjured but his 12-year-old passenger was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The 1991 Honda Accord was described as totaled.

Rial, who was reportedly unhurt, was booked into the Lewis County Jail also for reckless endangerment, according to the state patrol.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Chehalis area man was arrested for allegedly throwing a Chihuahua against a kitchen table, and then grabbing it from the owner’s arms and throwing it into an outside garbage can last night.

Deputies called just before 8 p.m. to the 500 block of Highway 603 spoke to a 58-year-old woman who said it happened following an argument. The 29-year-old suspect had left, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy noted the 8-inch tall dog’s eye was injured. It was swollen and bleeding and the pet appeared to be in pain, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said this morning.

Its owner said she would be getting the two and a half year old Chihuahua medical assistance right away, Brown said.

Deputies subsequently found the suspect at Wal-Mart and arrested him for first-degree animal cruelty. Richard J. Eng was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A passenger who fell onto Interstate 5 from a moving vehicle this morning in Chehalis was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital.

Troopers and aid were called about 8:20 a.m. to the northbound lanes near milepost 80, just north of Chamber of Commerce Way exit.

She was not conscious and possibly had a head injury, said Chehalis Fire Department Firefighter Pat Gilligan. He said he expected she would be flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The Washington State Patrol reports the 30-year-old woman had opened the door and jumped out. Trooper Will Finn indicated the car was traveling about 65 mph.

Finn said she was not hit by any passing cars, and suspected a mental issue may have been involved.

Kendra K. Sparks, 30, was traveling with her mother Pamela J. Sparks, 58, from Portland to home in Bremerton, according to the state patrol.

Finn tweeted an update at about 9:30 a.m., stating the patient was at the hospital and suffered bumps and bruises only. He said was on her way home from Portland’s airport after attending an Angels-Demons conference.