Operation New Day Aims to Address Crime, Public Safety in Seattle
Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO) joined local, regional, and federal leaders to provide updates on a new collaborative effort to address crime and advance public safety.
“The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is very grateful for the Mayor’s leadership, and the collaboration with our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal levels,” said Leesa Manion, Chief of Staff in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. “Our Deputy Prosecutors have been in court everyday, urging the court to ensure these individuals were held and making the argument that immediate release would send the wrong message. And our work isn’t going stop with the cases in Operation New Day — we have been filing roughly 30 felony cases everyday of the pandemic, staffing cases and ensuring the safety of our community. Through these efforts, we are addressing repeat perpetrators, property crimes, and drug deals involving fentanyl and heroin.”
As part of Operation New Day, leaders at today’s event shared information about felony arrests since January 21, primarily related to crime at Little Saigon. Dealers of fentanyl and other drugs, including those carrying illegal firearms, were arrested through undercover police work and targeted investigations carried out over the first several weeks of the year.
There were 16 arrests specific to Operation New Day that have come to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office — either for a first appearance or charging decision or both — since Jan. 21. These are cases that mention Operation New Day in the incident report narrative. Of those cases:
- 7 people have felony cases charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- 3 people are charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
- One of those cases was previously charged by the KCPAO (that’s why the individual numbers here total 17)
- 3 cases are being reviewed now by the KCPAO for felony charging decisions
- 1 case is being reviewed now by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
- 3 people still have their cases with Seattle Police investigators
Of the 16 people arrested, 9 of them were released by judges at first appearance hearings over the objection of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, including one suspected drug dealer with a loaded 9mm handgun. Another 3 people were released on bonds for significantly lower amounts ($2,500, $5,000 and $5,000) than what the KCPAO argued for ($75,000, $50,000 and $50,000, respectively).
Case summaries for each are below. Felony cases filed by the KCPAO are public, as are first appearance documents when a judge determines there is probable cause.
Operation New Day — Recent Cases Involving the KCPAO (Jan. 21 onward)
Cases charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Case #1: 22–1–00647–8
The defendant was charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Feb. 9 with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree, Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle. Undercover officers said they saw him in a stolen Range Rover near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. Investigators said when the defendant realized police were trying to stop him, he drove over a curb and onto the sidewalk trying to get away. He hit a patrol and stopped after another police vehicle blocked his path. The defendant, who had an active Department of Correction escape warrant from an assault with a deadly weapon case was found with heroin in packaging, was found with methamphetamine and a handgun he wasn’t permitted to carry because of his previous felony convictions. No record was found for the gun when police ran the serial number. At his first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he’s a danger to the community and asked a judge to hold him in jail on $30,000 bail. A judge agreed. The defendant has a conviction history, though only some of his previous cases were referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Others went to other jurisdictions, including the Seattle City Attorney’s Office under the previous administration. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged every case referred to us involving the defendant going back more than two decades — 10 cases since summer 1999. He pleaded not guilty in this current case on Feb. 23.
Case#2: 22–1–00659–1
Charged by U.S. Attorney’s Office, Indictment number CR22–028JLR
Police said they found the defendant with heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl pills, a 9mm pistol and $807. He was arrested Feb. 16 near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street after police watched multiple hand-to-hand transactions. At his first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told the judge about the 9mm handgun, the drugs in Little Saigon and his extensive criminal history that includes 39 warrants. We asked a judge to hold the defendant on $75,000 bail. The judge set bail at $2,500. The defendant was released after bond was posted on that lower amount set by the judge. This case was referred by Seattle Police to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after his first appearance, which is the normal procedure. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The defendant was charged with Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act — possession with intent to deliver heroin and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree. His arraignment, where he’ll enter a plea, was scheduled for March 7 at the King County Courthouse — however his case moved to the federal level after a decision by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The defendant has multiple felony convictions in King County, including convictions for attempted residential burglary, motor vehicle theft and at least 10 drug cases (including delivery and possession with the intent to deliver.)
Case #3: 22–1–00528–5
In the first appearance document sent from Seattle Police and presented in court Feb. 16 by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, undercover officers said they bought fentanyl from the defendant at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street on four occasions. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued the defendant is a danger to the community and asked a judge to hold him in jail on $30,000. The judge released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The case was referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after the defendant was released by the first appearance judge. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing, and those are typically sent after the first appearance happens.) The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two felony drug dealing charges against the defendant on Feb. 17 (Violation of the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act — delivery). Because the first appearance judge released the defendant based on the same investigation information presented at the first appearance, we did not have the ability to ask again for bail and this case was filed with a summons. The defendant pleaded not guilty on March 3. The defendant has two previous cases referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office — one from 2013 and one from 2015 — that led to convictions for assault and criminal solicitation.
Case #4: 22–1–00529–3
In the first appearance sent from Seattle Police and presented in court Feb. 16 by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, undercover officers said they bought fentanyl from the defendant five times between Jan. 21 and Feb. 5. The drugs were certified on Feb. 9 with equipment from the Drug Enforcement Administration. When the defendant was arrested the morning of Feb. 15 by members of the SPD Narcotics Unit and Community Response Group, police said he also had approximately 100 pills of suspected fentanyl on him. They also seized $20,093 in cash and additional suspected fentanyl from his bedroom. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office presented those details to a judge, argued that the defendant is a danger to the community, and asked a judge to hold him on $30,000 bail. The judge released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The case was referred to prosecutors after the judge released the defendant. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing, and those are typically sent after the first appearance happens.) The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two felony drug dealing charges against the defendant (Violation of the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act — delivery). Because the first appearance judge released the defendant based on the same investigation information presented at the first appearance, we did not have the ability to ask again for bail and this case was filed with a summons. He pleaded not guilty on March 3. No previous cases involving the defendant have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for felony charges.
Case #5: 22–1–00654–1
Police said on Feb. 5, the defendant sold fentanyl to an undercover officer near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street, and when he was arrested Feb. 16, the defendant had heroin, suspected fentanyl pills, mushrooms, and 38 individually wrapped packages of crack cocaine. At his first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he’s a danger to the community and also unlikely to return to court if released because of his eight previous warrants and two cases with current open warrants. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked a judge to hold him on $50,000. A judge released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The full case was sent to us, reviewed independently, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the case on Feb. 18. Because the first appearance judge released the defendant based on the same investigation information presented at the first appearance, we did not have the ability to ask again for bail and this case was filed with a summons. The defendant pleaded not guilty on March 3. The defendant has no previous felony convictions, but has had multiple misdemeanor cases handled in the separate Seattle Municipal Court.
Case #6: 22–1–00653–2
The defendant — who previously was convicted in a murder case — is accused of selling fentanyl to undercover officers multiple times and was found with additional fentanyl and $542 cash when arrested Feb. 16. At his first appearance hearing the next day, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued in court that he’s a danger to the community and unlikely to return to court if released because of his history of 24 warrants. We asked for a judge to hold him in jail on $50,000 bail and the judge agreed. The case was referred to our office the following day and on Feb. 18, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged the defendant with drug dealing and asked a Superior Court judge to keep the bail amount at $50,000. His next court date is his arraignment scheduled for March 17. Each previous felony case involving the defendant that was referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was charged, including a 1998 murder case where he was convicted of shooting an unarmed woman in the head. The defendant conviction history also includes rape of a child and robbery, and he has multiple previous cases in the separate Seattle Municipal Court.
Case #7: 22–1–03061–1
Undercover officers reported the defendant making hand-to-hand deals near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. When he was arrested Feb. 16, police said they found him with 36.1 grams of crack cocaine in packaging, more 34.1 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 22.8 grams of suspected methamphetamines. At the defendant’s first appearance, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told the judge about the dangerous activity near 12th and Jackson, and his 13 previous warrants that makes it unlikely that the defendant will return to court if released. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked a judge to hold him on $50,000 bail. The judge released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. This case was referred by Seattle Police to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after his first appearance, which is the normal procedure. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The defendant’s arraignment is scheduled for March 7. The defendant has multiple previous King County criminal cases handled by the KCPAO. His conviction history includes unlawful gun possession, three violations of no-contact orders, drug delivery, three extortion convictions, and multiple theft convictions.
Cases charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
Case #8:
See case summary #2 above.
Case #9: MJ22–061
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued on Feb. 5 that the defendant is a danger to the community and asked a judge to hold him in jail on $15,000 bail at his first appearance — before the case was sent to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We asked for that bail in part because police said the defendant was found with a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber after being told in a court order not to possess firearms. The first appearance judge did not find probable cause and released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The case was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office after the defendant was released by a judge over the objection of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. (The case documents required for a felony filing were not sent to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to the federal charge.) Our office charged each previous felony case that has been referred to us involving the defendant (a 2014 case and a 2010 robbery case).
Case # 10: MJ22–060
The defendant was arrested Feb. 3 near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street after police said they saw him making multiple drug deals there. Investigators described him as a predatory drug dealer, said he also matched the description of a suspect wanted in a drive-by shooting, and said they found 70 suspected fentanyl pills and $1,740 in several denominations. At the defendant’s Feb. 4 first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he is a danger to the public and asked a judge to hold him on $25,000 bail. The judge set bail at $5,000, and the defendant was released after bond was posted on that lower amount set by the judge. This case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and charged federally. (The case documents required for a felony filing were not sent to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to the federal charge.) Regarding the defendant’s history, only some of his previous cases were referred in King County. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged every previous adult case involving the defendant that has been referred to us.
Cases being reviewed now by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
Case #11
Police stopped the defendant at the bus stop on the northwest corner of 12th Avenue South and South Jackson and said he was found with a 9 mm handgun — one multiple court orders prevented his from having after two felony convictions. Police said they found suspected fentanyl and recovered $165 in small bills along with the handgun, loaded with 10 cartridges in the magazine and one in the chamber. A satchel the man had also included another 17 suspected fentanyl pills, two more 9mm cartridges and another $500 cash. At his first appearance on Feb. 5, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked a judge to hold him on $10,000 bail. The judge did not find probable cause and released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The documents required by law for a felony charging decision were not sent to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Cases being reviewed now by the KCPAO
Case #12
Police said they watched the defendant making suspected drug deals on the corner of 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. They arrested him and reported finding 14 counterfeit fentanyl pills and arrested him for possession with the intent to deliver. At the defendant’s first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told a judge about his history of 26 warrants, argued the defendant is unlikely to return to court if released, and said his suspected drug dealing at 12th and Jackson is a danger to the community. We asked a judge to hold him on $40,000 bail. A judge did not find probable cause for drug dealing and released the defendant over our objection. The suspected fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine were not immediately tested, but are expected to be tested by police investigators. This case was referred to us by police after the defendant had been released on the judge’s order, and we’re independently reviewing that case now for a felony filing decision. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged each previous felony case involving the defendant referred to our office since 2014, including convictions in three residential burglary cases. He also has convictions for possessing stolen property, assault, assault on a police officer, and multiple theft convictions.
Case #13
At his first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told a judge that the defendant was seen selling drugs in Little Saigon, and was arrested with more than 30 fentanyl pills, ecstasy, crack and $640 in cash, according to investigators. We argued that the details of the current investigation and his history that includes assault and two convictions for unlawful firearm possession (2015 and 2017) make him a danger to the community. We also argued that his history of six warrants make him unlikely to return to court if released, and we asked a judge to hold him on $50,000 bail. The judge set bail at $5,000. A first appearance document is different than what’s required by law for a felony charging decision. The case was not referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a felony charging decision, but we would review the case promptly if it’s sent to us. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The last case involving the defendant that was referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was a 2017 unlawful gun possession case that was charged that year and sentenced in 2018. He has an additional criminal history in the separate Seattle Municipal Court.
Case #14
At this 17-year-old’s first appearance hearing following his arrest on Feb. 11, probable cause was found for unlawful gun possession and drug possession with the intent to deliver. Seattle police said the teen was found with methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl and a stolen handgun in the 1500 block of 3rd Avenue. He was released to his mother on electronic home monitoring. Additional information was needed to file a drug dealing case, and that was requested from Seattle Police on Feb. 16. This case was referred by Seattle Police to our office after he was moved to electronic home monitoring. This case is actively being handled by the Juvenile Division. The teen has no felony history.
Cases not yet referred by police to the KCPAO
Case #15
The defendant was arrested in a burglary investigation after police said she was stealing from the downtown Seattle Target store. Seattle Police identified the retail theft as part of Operation New Day, which also included the police action in the Little Saigon neighborhood. The defendant was arrested with $296.47 worth of merchandise on Feb. 11. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office explained to the first appearance judge that the defendant was rapidly committing new offenses, and that she has 15 pending misdemeanor cases. (Seattle misdemeanor cases are handled separately from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.) A judge found probable cause to hold the defendant in the theft investigation. The case was not referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a felony charging decision, but we would review the case promptly if it’s sent to us. The defendant remains in the King County Jail on other cases (as of Feb. 20). The last felony case involving the defendant that was referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was in 2007. Between 1998 and 2007 there were three felony cases referred, all of which were sentenced.
Case #16
Police said that on Feb. 5 the defendant sold suspected fentanyl to an undercover agent dropped off in the 500 block of 12th Avenue South. Police also said they found suspected methamphetamine and crack cocaine when they arrested him Feb. 16 at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. At his first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that the defendant is a danger to the community, noting his extensive criminal history including assault, other domestic violence cases, and multiple convictions, among others. We also said that with his history of 48 prior warrants the defendant is unlikely to return to court if released. We asked the first appearance judge to hold him on $50,000 bail. The judge did not find probable cause for drug dealing and released the defendant over our objection. The case was not referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a felony charging decision, but we would review the case promptly if it’s sent to us. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The suspected fentanyl was not immediately tested, but is expected to be tested by police investigators. Going back to 2006, the defendant has convictions from multiple cases including felony theft from a 2019 Seattle case, an unlawful weapon case from 2014, and multiple domestic violence convictions.
Case #17
Police said the defendant traded an undercover office .09 grams of cocaine for two containers of Tide Pods. At his Feb. 17 first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office noted the defendant’s history of 23 warrants and suspected drug in the area of 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked that he be held on $5,000 bail. A judge released the defendant on his personal recognizance over our objection. The case was not referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a felony charging decision, but we would review the case promptly if it’s sent to us. (Additional documents beyond the first appearance document are required by law to be referred to prosecutors by police for a felony case filing.) The defendant has multiple previous felony convictions including a 2004 drug dealing and unlawful gun possession case in King County, attempting to elude and domestic violence felonies from the 1990s, and at least 21 misdemeanor convictions in Seattle Municipal Court going back to 1991.
