On Aug. 19, detectives with the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) assisted federal agents in locating and arresting a Centralia man suspected of multiple felonies.
The man was found off Old Highway 99 with a pistol.
Burton Carl Brown, 59, of Centralia, now faces one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in Lewis County Superior Court. He has an arrest warrant out of Clallam County.
According to court documents filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office, Brown stated upon his arrest Tuesday that “there was a .22 caliber pistol in the trunk of the car along with user amounts of methamphetamine.”
The detectives found the pistol, according to the documents. It was unclear whether they found methamphetamine.
Brown has a lengthy criminal history that includes 26 felony convictions, two of those for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
Because of those two specific convictions, Brown’s firearm possession is considered a first-degree unlawful possession offense, according to state law. The class B felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
During a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 20, Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher noted Brown’s extensive record, which includes multiple convictions for possession of a firearm. Citing a potential danger to the community, Meagher asked for bail to be set at $50,000 cash or bond, with standard release conditions.
When Judge Paul Strophy asked Meagher about the case out of Clallam County, the prosecutor said he did not know the status of it, other than it was pending.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller responded, “I do believe that there is a Clallam County hold on (Brown). It's at $200,000.”
Tiller asked that bail in this case be set at $25,000, if required.
Judge Strophy agreed with the state’s request for $50,000 cash or bond, given Brown’s criminal history, the serious nature of the allegation and community safety concerns.
An arraignment and trial setting for the Lewis County case is set for Aug. 21. Christopher Baum has been assigned to represent Brown.
