Bail has been set at $500,000 for a Centralia man accused of threatening a woman and three children at gunpoint on Wednesday.
Jaime N. Gutierrez, 27, is accused of pointing a gun to the woman’s head while her children, who are between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, were present.
The 8-year-old reportedly told responding offices “that the gun was pointed at his mother,” according to court documents.
At least two people in the 1100 block of Scammon Creek Road called 911 to report the incident to law enforcement shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday. One neighbor reported that a man “was threatening to ‘beat the sh*t’ out of a female and her kids” while another reported “that she heard the suspect threatening to kill everyone in the apartment and that is when she decided to call 911,” according to court documents.
After officers made contact with the victim, law enforcement located Gutierrez in Chehalis and served a warrant on his vehicle, reportedly finding a firearm inside.
Gutierrez’s criminal history, which includes second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment and obstruction convictions stemming from a 2017 incident, prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
Gutierrez was arrested and was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 7. He has since been charged with one count of second-degree assault, domestic violence; and two counts of harassment, threat to kill, domestic violence; and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher asked Judge J. Andrew Toynbee on Thursday to set Gutierrez’s bail at $5 million.
“I do not take that request likely,” said Meagher, explaining that Gutierrez’s criminal history paired with the violent allegations — specifically the alleged involvement of the gun — gave the state great concern for community safety.
“We think he presents a great risk to the community and high bail is appropriate,” Meagher said during Gutierrez’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.
Defense Attorney Rachael Tiller asked that bail be set no higher than $100,000 due to Gutierrez’s financial situation and the fact that those convictions from the 2017 incident are the only convictions on Gutierrez’s criminal record.
While Toynbee said he understood why the state was asking for $5 million bail, Toynbee opted to set bail at $500,000.
“I have to take into account his financial needs, and even taking into account his financial needs, $500,000 is extremely high bail,” said Toynbee, adding that he agreed with Meagher’s community safety concerns.
In addition to setting bail, Toynbee issued protection orders for the alleged victim and her three children.
Gutierrez’s next scheduled court appearance is an arraignment hearing set for Sept. 15.
