Latest news with #KingCountyProsecutor'sOffice
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced for home burglaries targeting Asian families
A man from Seattle—who prosecutors said terrorized Seattle's Asian community with home invasion robberies—was sentenced last Friday. Prosecutors explained that 28-year-old Demarcus Pate was part of a group that targeted the Asian community, particularly the elderly, during the summer of 2023. In some cases, they followed their victims home. In other cases, they approached victims getting out of their cars in their driveways. Pate was charged with a hate crime and confessed. 'This individual pled guilty to not only unlawful possession of a firearm, and two counts of burglary, but also a hate crime for the intentional targeting of Asian households,' Douglas Wagoner with the King County Prosecutor's Office said. The crime spree happened in the summer of 2023, a particularly troubling year for hate crimes involving the Asian community. They were fearful for their safety and had to take extra steps to protect themselves. 'We saw 114 anti-Asian hate crimes charged by our office, and that was the most of any year we have on record,' Wagoner said. Pate eventually pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison. Prosecutors said that when community safety has been violated, and there is evidence of a crime, charges will follow. 'Home invasions, cases that involve burglary, property crimes, or hate crimes, you're going to see King County prosecutors bring those cases to the courtroom and seek justice,' Wagoner said. There are additional cases against other suspects in this case that are ongoing. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty. King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion is working to bring greater accountability for hate crimes this legislative session with HB 1052, which was approved by the Washington State Legislature and is on Gov. Bob Ferguson's desk pending signature. This legislation would allow prosecutors statewide to charge hate crimes motivated 'in whole or in part' because of the defendant's perception of the victim's 'race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability. "When there is evidence to show that people were victimized by a hate crime – in whole or in part because of a defendant's bias – those perpetrators must be held accountable. Prosecutors need this legal fix to ensure that happens,' King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said. 'I appreciate the leadership of Rep. Cindy Ryu and Sen. Manka Dhingra to hold people accountable when they act out from a place of hate.' From 2018-April 20, 2025, the KCPAO charged 53 anti-Asian hate crimes after referrals from police investigators. The years with the specific number of anti-Asian hate crimes: 2018: 4 2019: 2 2020: 7 2021: 13 2022: 8 2023: 14 2024: 5
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
WA man accused of murdering ex, fleeing to Mexico, pleads not guilty
The Brief Beloved hair salon owner, Reyna Hernandez, went missing in 2024. Investigators allege her ex, Louie Hernandez, murdered her in a fit of jealousy and rage, then fled to Mexico. Louie Hernandez was held in a Mexican jail for drug possession before being extradited to Washington. The suspect pleaded not guilty, and a judge set bail at $5 million. SEATTLE - On Tuesday, the Renton man who is accused of murdering his partner then driving more than 1,300 miles to hide her body in Mexico, appeared in a King County court. In court, 62-year-old Louie Hernandez pleaded not guilty. Timeline Charging documents that FOX 13 Seattle obtained allege Louie Hernandez shot and killed his former partner in a fit of jealousy and rage. The victim told her new partner that, "Louie threatened to kill her because she was with another man," and "he wanted her back and that he felt like dying without her," according to the documents. According to the report, Reyna Hernandez planned to meet Louie Hernandez on Feb. 26, 2024, to "arrange finishing up the relationship." However, investigators said the 5'4" suspect ambushed his 6 ft former partner nearly as soon as she walked into their, once, shared home. "Evidence gathered during the course of this investigation establishes that, within minutes of the victim entering the home she had previously shared with the defendant, the defendant put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger," according to the King County Prosecutor's Office. According to the charging documents, Louie Hernandez then hid the victim's body in her own car and drove more than 1,300 miles down the coast. Investigators said Hernandez hid the victim's body in a Mexicali graveyard. Big picture view Charging documents said detectives were able to connect the dots for several reasons, including the suspect's own son sending investigators a Mexican news article reporting the discovery of Reyna Hernandez's body. The documents also stated investigators found indications of an attempt to clean up large amounts of blood, a shell casing of the same caliber used to murder the victim, and surveillance video showing Louie Hernandez driving away in the victim's car after loading it with an object covered in a blanket or tarp. Louie Hernandez was held in a Mexican jail before being extradited back to Washington. Investigators said Mexican military officials arrested Louie Hernandez at a checkpoint for possessing fentanyl, meth, and two rounds of ammo. Bail is set at $5 million in this case. The next hearing is scheduled for next month. The Source Information in this story comes from FOX 13 Seattle reporter AJ Janavel. Here's where Seattle renters are relocating 74-year-old skier dies after fall at Stevens Pass Body cameras capture struggle during Pierce County DUI arrest Seattle's Capitol Hill Block Party announces 2025 lineup, changes to event Could Bryan Kohberger's autism defense for capital murder set a precedent? To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hit-and-run charges filed after SUV plunges off overpass in Tukwila, killing passenger
A man accused of driving a vehicle that plunged off an overpass onto Interstate 5, killing his passenger and injuring others, has been charged with multiple felonies, including hit-and-run, reckless endangerment, and driving with a suspended license, according to King County prosecutors. Daud Sakerie Mohamud, 30, was charged after occurred, which took place around 10:16 a.m. on the SR 599 overpass in Tukwila. Prosecutors allege Mohamud was driving recklessly when he hit the right-side jersey barrier, lost control, and crashed into the left-side barrier before his SUV went airborne, landing on a vehicle traveling on I-5 below. The crash killed 26-year-old passenger Abdiqadir Ahmed, seriously injured another passenger, and caused a multi-car collision. According to court documents, after the crash, Mohamud was thrown from the vehicle and landed on the overpass. Despite being injured, he allegedly got up and ran from the scene. Law enforcement later found him emerging from a wooded area near the highway, covered in blood. When confronted, Mohamud reportedly tried to dispose of his wallet in nearby bushes and falsely claimed that his deceased passenger had been the driver. Police at the scene found a pair of black Crocs inside the driver's seat area—matching the shoes Mohamud admitted he had been wearing that day. His family later confirmed that he had been driving the vehicle earlier that morning. Prosecutors noted that Mohamud's license was suspended at the time of the crash and that he was required to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle he drove, which was not present in the SUV. Additionally, he has a history of driving-related offenses, including a DUI conviction from 2020 and an active deferred prosecution for a separate DUI case from 2021. In January, he pleaded guilty to negligent driving, an amended charge from another DUI. The King County Prosecutor's Office has requested that bail remain set at $100,000, citing concerns over public safety. The state initially sought a $150,000 bail, noting that Mohamud had a history of reckless driving, numerous traffic violations, and previous warrants. The crash remains under investigation.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Seattle man sentenced to 90 months for drug trafficking, firearm offenses
This story was originally published on A 50-year-old Seattle man has been sentenced to 7-and-a-half years in prison for drug trafficking and carrying a firearm as part of the crime, acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced. Phuong Nguyen Le was arrested after a drive-by shooting in Seattle's International District in February 2023 and was indicted in May 2023. Le was arrested with a loaded firearm and had fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on him. He fired several shots from his car in the Little Saigon neighborhood at the intersection of 10th Avenue South and South King Street. The presiding judge said Le's actions posed a significant risk to the community. 'Local and federal law enforcement continue to work to increase safety in the International District. This case exemplifies our collaboration with the King County Prosecutor's Office and the Seattle Police to pursue federal prosecution where it has the most impact,' said acting U.S. Attorney Miller. More from MyNorthwest: Tesla Cybertrucks burn overnight in Seattle, KIRO Newsradio reporter threatened with knife while covering Drug trafficking were among the charges stemming from the 2023 shooting Seattle Police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the Little Saigon neighborhood on February 24, 2023. Witnesses reported seeing a man in a white Mercedes firing a handgun into the air. Police located the vehicle nearby with Le driving and his girlfriend in the passenger seat. Prosecutors emphasized the danger posed by Le's combination of drug distribution and firearm possession, stating, 'Le's actions placed the community at significant risk and warrant a substantial custodial sentence.' Le will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. He has prior convictions, including a 2012 conviction for cocaine distribution and a 2020 sentence for illegal firearm and drug possession. The Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. More from MyNorthwest: Washington House passes divisive bill to ease misdemeanor dismissals
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
King County sees first decline in gun violence since 2018, report shows
It's happening in our neighborhoods and on our freeways: rampant gun violence in King County. It prompted King County Executive Dow Constantine to recognize gun violence as a public health emergency in 2021. But now, the county seems to be turning a corner, with new data showing a decline in the violence for the first time since 2018. On Thursday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office released a 2024 Gun Violence Report. The report shows homicides by firearms down nearly 30% in 2024. With 107 firearm homicide victims in 2023, down to 75 firearm homicide victims in 2024. Non-fatal shootings also decreased, along with overall shootings in the county. There were 1701 reported 'shots fired incidents' in 2023. That number reduced to 1591 in 2024. 'It's very encouraging to see that we've kind of broken this fever pitch of gun violence that really ratcheted up in the pandemic and in the years that followed,' says Douglas Wagoner with the King County Prosecutor's Office. Wagoner underscores that gun violence, while decreasing, is not felt equally across King County. Shooting victims are disproportionately male (82%), and people of color (76%). 'There's obviously a lot of work that remains to be done,' says Wagoner.
