A woman was arrested in Chehalis on Friday after being spotted by local law enforcement sitting near a small fire in a patch of grass along John Street.
Priscilla Vance, 47, was charged on Monday, June 16, in Lewis County Superior Court with two counts of third-degree assault of an officer, a class C felony with a maximum prison sentence of five years. She was also charged with one misdemeanor for resisting arrest and two gross misdemeanors for knowingly possessing a controlled substance and reckless burning. She is also facing a misdemeanor charge in Chehalis Municipal Court for reckless burning.
Superior Court Judge Joely Yeager set $5,000 cash bail for Vance’s release during the Monday hearing, partway between the defense’s request for no bail and the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office request of $10,000 bail amount, citing Vance’s few connections to Washington state.
“Given the allegations here, I’m concerned that Ms. Vance may interfere with the administration of justice if released,” Yeager said. “I also have concerns about her being able to follow the court order.”
While defense attorney Rachel Tiller cited no history of convictions or failure to appear in court in the state of Washington, court documents show Vance does have four prior convictions in West Virginia and Ohio, including for assault and possession of a controlled substance.
On Friday, June 13, A Chehalis police officer approached Vance as she sat near a small fire. According to court records, the officer asked Vance to extinguish the fire and, when she made no effort to do so, the officer put the fire out. Vance then reportedly took out a glass pipe and began smoking methamphetamine.
According to court records, the officer informed Vance that she was under arrest, after which she began walking away. The officer then grabbed Vance’s sweater to stop her from fleeing. Vance allegedly attempted to run away and physically resist arrest.
“(The officer) grabbed Vance’s sweater, which pulled over her head as she tried to get away,” states the affidavit of probable cause. “(The officer) got Vance to the ground and she repeatedly kicked him on the chest.”
According to court documents, another officer quickly arrived at the scene to assist the initial responding officer. The two together were then able to put Vance’s hands behind her back to finally place her under arrest and take her into custody.
Vance will next appear in court next week for her arraignment.
She will be represented by a court-appointed attorney.
