Centralia police arrested a woman early Thursday after she allegedly kicked the officer who had driven her home.
After arriving at the Lewis County Jail, the woman allegedly kicked a corrections officer in the cheek.
Jessica L. Braden, 49, of Olympia, is charged with two counts of third-degree assault, Class C felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison. She made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson requested a bail of $25,000 cash or bond, citing the allegations, which he said posed a risk to community safety.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for an unsecured bond, saying Braden had a “lack of any criminal history.”
Tiller said the allegations were “completely outside of character” and added the “underlying crux” of the issue could be alcohol consumption. According to Tiller, Braden typically attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and lives with her uncle in a sober household.
Tiller said both Braden’s aunt and uncle were present in the courtroom.
“I’m going to take a chance on you,” Judge Joely Yeager said, before indicating she rarely releases people on unsecured bonds after allegations of assaulting police officers.
Yeager called such allegations a “big risk to community safety” and a “quick way to get yourself shot.”
The judge ordered Braden’s release on a $25,000 unsecured bond, with conditions of release to include no alcohol consumption or possession. Braden is also prohibited from going into any bars or taverns.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded to a report of a disorderly woman outside the La Quinta Inn & Suites on Mellen Street shortly after midnight on Thursday.
They found Braden, who reportedly showed signs of alcohol intoxication.
The officers attempted to calm Braden down, who was “potentially having a manic episode,” according to the affidavit. They offered her a “courtesy ride” to her uncle’s house.
Braden accepted the offer.
“While riding to her uncle's house, she began screaming in the patrol vehicle,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit.
After exiting the vehicle at her uncle’s house, Braden allegedly put her arms out and tried to “grab ahold” of the officer who had given her the ride. The officer reportedly tried to “grab her wrist to de-escalate the situation.”
Braden allegedly “leaned back” and kicked the officer in the chest.
“She was then placed into custody and continued trying to kick and bite the officers,” the affidavit said.
At the jail, Braden allegedly kicked a corrections officer when he tried to take a phone she’d brought into her cell.
Braden is scheduled for an arraignment on Oct. 8.
