Police booked a Centralia man into the Lewis County Jail Thursday after he allegedly resisted arrest and tried to grab a deputy’s firearm.
Jason L. Anderson, 52, is charged with two counts of third-degree assault, one count of resisting arrest and one count of attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer.
Judge Joely Yeager set Anderson’s bail at $500,000 — greater than the $250,000 requested by the state — during his preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead said he’d watched video of the alleged incident, and said Anderson has 36 prior felony convictions.
According to court documents, those convictions include third-degree assault, felony harassment, attempting to elude, first-degree burglary and first-degree theft, among others.
Halstead noted Anderson was currently under conditions of release for a pending theft case.
Prior to the judge’s bail ruling, defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for no more than $10,000, citing Anderson’s financial means. She said Anderson was frustrated with the situation and had questioned why he was charged with two counts of assault.
“I actually agree with him,” Tiller said.
Tiller said Anderson’s underlying issue may be related to medication, and said Anderson had a lot of family members present in the courtroom.
In making her ruling, Yeager said she understood the state’s request given Anderson’s extensive criminal history, and added that allegations of assault on law enforcement officers “put everyone in a dangerous situation.”
According to a probable cause affidavit, a Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled Anderson over after learning Anderson had an active warrant out of Lewis County District Court.
The deputy told Anderson to turn off his Jeep and step out of the vehicle. Anderson allegedly “did not comply.” The deputy reportedly opened Anderson’s door and repeated his command.
“Mr. Anderson aggressively exited the vehicle, putting his body close to (the deputy) and posturing aggressively,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit. “(The deputy) put his hands on Mr. Anderson who immediately began fighting him.”
According to the affidavit, the deputy told Anderson his vehicle was “rolling away.” When Anderson turned to look, the deputy reportedly “took him to the ground.”
As the scuffle continued, Anderson allegedly tried to remove the deputy’s stun gun from his holster. A citizen stepped in to help control Anderson.
According to the affidavit, the deputy reportedly heard the citizen tell Anderson to stop trying to grab the deputy’s firearm.
The deputy eventually handcuffed Anderson after “approximately six minutes of fighting,” according to the affidavit.
Anderson is scheduled for an arraignment on Oct. 15.
