By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Prosecutors dropped a felony case they had filed against a Chehalis business owner, alleging after they searched his warehouse and his residence he’d used an alias, illegally possessed a gun and falsely declared his qualifications as a voter.
Elvis A. Matias-Lopez, 34, of Chehalis, was charged at the end of April in Lewis County Superior Court.
According to court documents, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office found Matias-Lopez was illegally in the country and eligible for deportation.
A sheriff’s detective began looking into Champion Greens located on Northwest West Street in Chehalis based on information that arose pursuant to an investigation by multiple agencies into organized criminal activity in Washington state, according to court documents.
Law enforcement conducted surveillance on on Matias-Lopez for about a year, ending last October, court documents relate.
Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead wouldn’t say what kind of organized crime was being looked into, but yesterday said he asked a judge to dismiss the charges earlier this month because he anticipates the case will be transferred to a federal jurisdiction.
The local charges were first-degree criminal impersonation, false declaration as to qualifications as a voter and alien in possession of a firearm without an alien firearm license.
They were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be re-filed at a later date, Halstead said.
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For background, read “Probe into unspecified “organized crime” nets local resident eligible for deportation” from Sunday May 1, 2016, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Unconstitutional are some of the comments I read pertaining to this news worthy article. All facts are not listed, and to be condemned, and deemed guily facts are required. This was set forth by our fore fathers VIA our constitution.
I thought it was for impersonating Elvis with out a license.
Well since Law Enforcement has failed to do their jobs and the Obama administration is defying a Supreme Court Order to Deport, Then We The People must uphold the Law. A Posse of Patriots, known as a well armed Militia must take Law Enforcements place since their only concerned about driving through our town just to pick up a pay check. Voting has failed the corruption is out in the open. We must form the Militia to do the jobs knowbody wants too. Im willing to die for this great country, If we dont act soon we will be a 3 rd World Country. Shame on the local law enforcement.
Yeah except if his case goes to federal jurisdiction he will most likely not get deported. Doesn’t matter anyway there so many folks who sneak into this country, get caught and deported and who come back.
The vast majority are people trying to make a better life for their families but there is an element who has nothing but criminal interests in mind.
My Dad emigrated from Ireland in 1948 and surprise, surprise he did it through Ellis Island. Not sneaking. There is a legal process to apply to emigrate here. I am not against anyone who wants to move here, work here and contribute to society and become a citizen. Just come here legally. But the again i will not be voting the democratic ticket in November either.
Well there’s a vote for clinton
Eligible for deportation? Done. Bye!