The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

First Appearance/Arraignment:

Michael A. West, 37, Dayton; entered not-guilty plea on charges of residential burglary – domestic violence with sexual motivation, a Class B felony, and violation of a no-contact order – domestic violence with sexual motivation, a gross misdemeanor. These crimes allegedly occurred on Sept. 30, 2014, while West was on a court-granted 24-hour furlough from Columbia County Jail. West is currently incarcerated in Columbia County Jail without bail.

Zachary T. Koehler, 27, College Place; first appearance on charge of second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Koehler was allegedly involved in the theft of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. He did not appear in court to enter his plea – bench warrant entered.

Jared J. Mings, 31, Starbuck; first appearance on charges of trafficking in stolen property, a Class B felony, and second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Mings was allegedly involved in the theft of and attempted sale of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. He did not appear in court to enter his plea – bench warrant entered.

Geovanny Blanco, 19, Pasco; entered not-guilty plea on charges filed this month including attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, a Class C felony; reckless driving and two counts of reckless endangerment, all gross misdemeanors; and use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Trials Set:

Marc D. Nielsen, 58, Starbuck; charged this month with second-degree assault, a Class B felony, for allegedly hitting another man with a baseball bat in February. Trial: June 23.

Jackson G. Miller, III, 46, Dayton; charged in August with three counts of harassment – threats to kill and one count of stalking while armed with a deadly weapon. Trial: Sept. 8.

Leonard L. Lytle, 24, Dayton; charged this month with 2nd degree theft of an access device (debit card), four counts of second-degree identity theft, and two counts of forgery; four counts of third-degree theft; and one count of use of drug paraphernalia. Lytle is currently incarcerated in Columbia County Jail on $15,000 bond. Trial: May 11.

Marshall Hernandez, 54, Dayton; charged in January with arson, reckless burning, and possession of stolen property. Trial: July 23.

Continuance Granted:

Ronald R. White, 54, Kennewick; charged in October with two counts of violation of a no-contact order. Hearing to set trial will be May 6.

Kari D. Hecker, 37, Dayton; charged in September with possession of a controlled substance (meth) and two counts of endangerment with a controlled substance. Motion to substitute attorney granted. Hearing to set trial will be May 6.

Monty N. Dunn, 50, Dayton; charged in February with five counts of delivery of meth (and selling within 1,000 feet of school grounds), possession of meth, possession of legend (prescription) drugs without a prescription and endangerment with a controlled substance. He is currently incarcerated in Columbia County Jail on $75,000 bond. Resolution or a new trial date will be set on May 6.

Other Legal Action:

Carlos Arroyo, Jr., 35, Dayton; charged in November 2013 with possession of a controlled substance (meth) and two counts of third-degree possession of stolen property. Arroyo signed a deferral of sentence/dismissal in April 2014 at which time the prosecutor’s office stated that he would be granted a dismissal if he maintained good and lawful behavior during the next 12 months. The state did not agree with a dismissal at this April court hearing – one year later. The matter is continued to May 20.

Nicholas A. Beard, 25, Spokane; charged in October with attempting to elude, reckless driving, and DUI. Hearing to amend the original charge of DUI to include language stating that an analysis of Beard’s blood within two hours after driving allegedly shows he was over the legal limit. Not-guilty plea again entered.