A man accused of multiple thefts at the Cowlitz Falls Campground in Lewis County was arrested Monday, Aug. 4, and later charged with seven felony counts in Lewis County Superior Court.
Dusty Jo Daniel, 29, of Randle, faces one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree theft, three counts of second-degree identity theft and one count of first-degree criminal impersonation.
According to court documents from the prosecutor’s office, the man had stashed the stolen items in the back of a pickup truck as he and others drove to various convenience stores to make illegal purchases using a card that was also stolen.
Bail was set at $50,000 and arraignment scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14.
On Thursday, Aug. 7, another Randle man, Tyler Ray Myers, 36, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court for charges related to the same illegal purchases.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation on Monday, Aug. 4, when a deputy was dispatched to the Cowlitz Falls Campground after a camper reported the theft of an eBike worth around $800. According to court documents, the victim described having seen a suspicious white truck with “dual tires” driving through the campground earlier in the day.
Throughout the investigation, the deputy learned of other thefts that had occurred at different campsites on the grounds, including that of a stolen cooler containing soda and brandy, several tents and a canopy.
The deputy was then advised of a caller who reported the theft of additional items at the campground, including four debit and credit cards. According to court documents, the caller stated that one of the cards had been used three times, including twice at a 76 gas station in Randle. The deputy was able to review footage from the gas station and observed a white truck with what appeared to be an eBike sticking out of its bed, along with a male who exited the truck and purchased cartons of American Spirit cigarettes.
By checking the receipt, the deputy verified the purchase was made from the stolen card.
Later in the day, the deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white truck that had what appeared to be an expired temporary tag. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy observed an eBike, cooler and other items that matched the descriptions of those stolen from the Cowlitz Falls Campground — along with a pack of American Spirit cigarettes sitting on the dashboard of the vehicle.
During questioning of the vehicle’s occupants, which included a female driver and two male passengers, the deputy learned that one of the passengers, Dusty Jo Daniel, had originally identified under a false name. The deputy also noticed a loaded AR-15 rifle located between Daniel and the door.
The other passenger, Myers, said he had been picked up by Daniel, and that the stolen items were already in the bed of the truck at that time. He claimed he did not check the name on the card when making the purchases and believed the credit card had belonged to Daniel.
Apparently, law enforcement and prosecutors did not fully buy Myers’s explanation.
Myers now faces one count of second-degree theft, one count of second-degree possession of stolen property and three counts of second-degree identity theft. All charges are considered class C felonies and are punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
Of the seven counts charged against Daniel, the unlawful possession of a firearm charge, a Class B felony, carries the greatest maximum punishment, in this case 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. The other six counts, all Class C felonies, each carry a maximum of five years imprisonment and $10,000 fine.
During Daniel’s preliminary appearance on Aug. 5, Judge Paul Strophy referenced Daniel’s out-of-state criminal history, which, according to documents from the prosecution, includes prior felony convictions in Oregon for assault, burglary and rape, along with failures to appear in court. Daniel has no prior Washington convictions.
Like Daniel, Myers has no prior Washington convictions, but does have charges from Oregon for burglary and theft in 2021.
Contrary to comments provided by the prosecution, Defense Attorney Rachael Tiller argued that Myers has “strong ties to the area” and resides in Lewis County. The defense further stated that Myers was “adamant” he has no convictions in Oregon.
Judge Strophy set Myers’s bail at $10,000. His release is unsecured, meaning he doesn’t have to pay unless he fails to appear in court. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday, Aug. 14.
