Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An 18-year-old Centralia resident who allegedly shared a sexually explicit video of a young girl in a conversation on his cell phone appeared in Lewis County Superior Court today, after being summonsed to appear.

Steven D. Young was charged by Lewis County prosecutors on Jan. 2 with first-degree dealing in depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Conviction can bring a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $$20,000 fine.

Charging documents written in December state that the Centralia Police Department received a referral from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, contending Young was conversing with an un-named person using the KIK application on his phone.

During the conversation, Young sent a video to the person showing an approximately 12-year-old girl masturbating, according to the allegations. He also allegedly claimed to be having sex with young girls, the documents relate.

An accompanying court document alleges the incident occurred on July 26.

Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer writes that Young was interviewed by police and initially denied knowing of the conversation.

He allegedly eventually recalled the conversation and video and said he needed counseling and should go to jail, and also claimed to being threatened, which caused him to send the video, Meyer wrote.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello told a judge this afternoon Young has no criminal history whatsoever and requested he be allowed release pending trial on a $20,000 unsecured bond.

Judge Andrew Toynbee agreed.

His arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 15.

Tiana M. Good, in green, faces a judge as Michael A. Esparza looks on in Lewis County Superior Court

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Local drug detectives and personnel with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration tracked the driver of a high end rental car up Interstate 5 into Chehalis yesterday and subsequently seized just over a pound of methamphetamine tucked into a dog carrier in the vehicle.

They also located what was described as a large bundle of U.S. currency in numerous denominations as well as a loaded pistol when they searched the car.

Michael A. Esparza, 23, and Tiana M. Good, 24, who live together in Lynnwood, were arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail. They were charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

The duo had just traveled 20 hours straight from the Los Angeles area when they were pulled over yesterday evening, according to court documents.

Temporary defense attorney Rachael Tiller told a judge this afternoon Good is a full-time accounting student at Edmonds Community College and Esparza is self employed as a barber. Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello pointed out Esparza had California identification when bail was discussed.

Neither appeared to have any criminal convictions, according to the two lawyers.

Her bail was set at $10,000. His at $20,000.

Charging documents in the case state it was about 5:35 p.m. when law enforcement officers identified Esparza as the driver of a dark gray 2017 Chrysler 300C with Washington license plates. They knew his driving privileges were suspended and revoked.

A detective with the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team positively identified Esparza as the driver during “rolling” surveillance, according to the documents.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dan Riordan stopped the car on northbound Interstate 5 at milepost 74.

Good had a small white dog on her lap, according to Masiello.

A Clark County deputy and his drug-sniffing K-9 were summoned, because Esparza had a “suspicious story” of his travels from California and being in a high-end rental car, according to the documents.

The car was searched, after the K-9 showed an interest in the interior of the car, according to the documents.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Joel DeFazio wrote in charging documents that a large ziplock baggie containing large shards and a white crystal substance was located inside the soft-sided dog carrier. A sample of the approximately 461 grams field-tested positive for meth, according to DeFazio.

DeFazio states in the documents that under the passenger seat was a Springfield XD 40 caliber pistol, with a loaded magazine in the well. A records check showed it was stolen in Pierce County on Dec. 19, 2016.

Court appointed lawyers were assigned to Esparza  and Good. Their arraignments were scheduled for Feb. 15.

Flames rise from home on Southwest 12th Street in Chehalis on Wednesday night. / Courtesy photo by Mike Kroll

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two people were able to escape a burning home in Chehalis last night but a dog and cat perished.

Firefighters called at 9:54 p.m. to the 100 block of Southwest 12th Street found fire at the front of the house, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

“About half the house was involved, the occupants were able to exit the rear,” Fire Chief Ken Cardinale said this morning.

The crew was joined by personnel from Riverside Fire Authority, Lewis County Fire District 6 and Lewis County Fire District 5, Cardinale said.

He estimated $50,000 to $75,000 damage to the single-story, wood frame house. It’s not inhabitable, but might be repairable, the chief said.

The cause is under investigation.