Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The accused prolific local trafficker of pain medications was sentenced yesterday to 12 years behind bars, following a plea deal that helped him avoid a third strike and a life sentence.
Forrest E. Amos,
Forrest E. Amos, 31, has been held in the Lewis County Jail since late last year when he was released from prison and charged with a multitude of offenses based on a lengthy investigation by Centralia police.
He originally faced 26 varied charges including leading organized crime, but on July 31 pleaded guilty to 14 offenses. Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead dropped the charge of organized crime.
Halstead also dismissed four counts of intimidating a witness, in a case from this summer in which Amos was suspected of planning from inside the jail to have associates hurt or pressure witnesses against him.
Law enforcement estimated that in 2011 when Amos was aggressively dealing Oxycodone, that he was the main supplier of the synthetic opiate within Lewis County, possessing and dealing thousands of pills a month. Charging documents outlined how Amos reportedly continued to traffic drugs to the outside through others from behind prison walls.
Amos’s second strike came for shanking a fellow inmate while he was in prison for his first strike, taking part in the beating of a man to steal his marijuana and pistol in the year 2000 when he was 16 years old, according to court documents.
The former resident of Napavine and Chehalis agreed not to appeal his convictions or sentence in any way, according to court documents.
Among the crimes to which he was sentenced were delivery of Oxycodone while incarcerated during 2013 as well as during 2012 before he was locked up.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey signed an order that included one year of supervision following his release, as well as numerous financial legal obligations including repaying $13,800 for his court-appointed attorney Don Blair.
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For background, read, “Police: Organized crime defendant created ‘hit list’ of key witnesses” Thursday June 19, 2014, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I’m sure the tax payers are already out the 13k to pay Blair. I wonder what Broseys cut was? Why don’t we have public defenders that work for the county? Would be a lot less expense to the taxpayers…just sayin, and the gravy train that’s been feeding the leeches/defense attorneys who gouge us with those billable hours would come to an end.
So with the chance to have sn organized crime charge mean 3they strikes and life we hand him 12 years? He will be out in 7 and back to crime. Great choice on the plea!
What an attention whore. Amos reaches out to various media to speak of his innocence and always makes a point to pose for the court room cameras. Have fun in prison Forrest and be sure to run a muck with your white supremacist homies. You will have officially spent half of your life in prison by the time you get out.
You have got to be kidding me, 12 years, that’s it. They had this puke on 26 charges and he pleads out to 12 years and some restitution. Sorry but that doesn’t cut it with me. Well Forrest I guess all there is to say now is enjoy your time in prison. Please remember to insult every Black and Hispanic man you meet while doing your time. I am sure someone will take you under their wing and protect you….