CRIME WATCH: Drug sting; assault arrest (updated); stolen white Accord

DRUG STING: We learned about this via charges filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. 62-year-old Thomas B. Hull is charged with a drug felony and unlawful gun possession after what court documents describe as an undercover drug sting, making three buys at an RV on SW Marginal Place (which has been reoccupied since its summer sweep). Prosecutors say three undercover buys were made before Hull was arrested and the RV was searched: “Inside the RV, police found a significant amount of several types of drugs, a scale, and he had 5 thousand dollars in cash. Police also found a 22-caliber revolver, bullets, and a musket.” The “several types of drugs,” according to the charging documents, included fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.” Hull has 12 felony convictions, including burglaries, drug violations, and forgery. Prosecutors asked for $100,000 bail; a judge set it at $10,000. Hull got out of jail one day after his arrest last Friday; he was charged on Tuesday.

ASSAULT ARREST: A woman was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault after police responded to a report of two women fighting outside an apartment building in the 7600 block of 35th SW just after 6:30 last night. The summary says, “Upon arrival, officers located the victim, who told officers the suspect assaulted her with a knife and then bit her. The victim said she then pepper-sprayed the suspect in self-defense.” ADDED: We’ve since obtained more information from police. The victim, 45, and her 73-year-old mother were walking by when they saw the 44-year-old suspect vandalizing a car, first trying to rip off its mirrors, then hitting the windshield with a knife handle. The victim pulled out her phone to video-record her and the suspect became agitated, threatening to kill the other women, and coming at them with her knife. The victim pepper-sprayed her but also got cuts on her hand from trying to prevent the suspect from stabbing her. Police arrived at some point and while trying to sort everything out learned that the car the suspect was vandalizing belonged to a 66-year-old woman who has had a longstanding conflict with the suspect over a dog. Police say the suspect is “well-known to officers as she has assaulted multiple people unprovoked in her apartment building that she thinks are trying to kill her, a pair of CPS workers who tried to check on her 6-year-old daughter, and (her daughter’s) school principal.” The suspect was booked into jail; her bail was set today at $5,000.

STOLEN WHITE ACCORD: The car was stolen in White Center but the last time it was taken, it was found in West Seattle, so the owner hopes someone might have seen it:

Cash reward to anyone who can help me recover my Honda Accord ($300)

1996 Honda Accord (white)
Temporary plate # A5359322
Vin (starts with) 1HGC
KCSO case Number : C22031768

The windshield is cracked.

Steve September 29, 2022 (6:39 pm)

That must have been that Judges drug dealer.

flimflam September 29, 2022 (7:08 pm)

That’s weird – many posters here have scolded others for even suggesting RVs May be selling drugs. Huh.

Frustrated September 29, 2022 (7:22 pm)

I see a guy pushing a shopping cart full of bicycle parts down the trail towards those RVs a few times a week when I bike to work. Wonder what those parts pay for each time. Also, have you seen the explosion of trash at that site since the RVs moved back? Normal houses don’t generate that much trash…
- Jethro Marx September 29, 2022 (8:07 pm)
  
  I think you mean, the trash generated by “normal” people is shuffled out of sight each week and so it’s easy to assume they are less trashy. Much of the trash you see stockpiled around the city is simply being moved from the trash and craigslist free postings of people who live in “normal houses” to the streets. Some of it is also stolen, sure. But the excess comes from all of us.
  - 937 September 30, 2022 (7:47 am)
    
    HA!
    
    That’s a good one!!
    
    For a moment, I thought you were serious.

Gatewood September 29, 2022 (7:18 pm)

Who was the judge that set the low bail?

WSB September 29, 2022 (7:47 pm)

I don’t have their name; I have asked the KCPAO. That would have been whoever was hearing all the first appearances at Hull’s original post-arrest hearing. As the KCPAO explains it, even once they file charges, they’re stuck with the bail decision made by the previous judge unless they have significant new evidence. – TR

Update – Just checked email again and there’s the name: King County District Court Judge Kristin Shotwell.
- New Salt September 30, 2022 (2:00 am)
  
  For those interested, looks like she’ll be back on the ballot shortly. Probably unopposed, but let’s at least try to do better than this simpleton ideology maybe?
  - OneTimeCharley September 30, 2022 (10:42 am)
    
    The judge will only be running unopposed since no one is running against her. What I mean is, we all need to begin searching amongst ourselves for those qualified to put themselves on the ballot; in every race, in every place. I think the stink of electioneering runs a lot of good, qualified people away from service across the board. This is something we collectively must change.
  - AdmyrlByrd September 30, 2022 (12:17 pm)
    
    If she is unopposed, wonder if there’s alternatives beyond just finding someone else to run (my guess is that anyone with a legal degree would prefer almost anything but this). Could we write in someone? Have a “NOTA” option that would keep the position vacant/prevent this activist from continuing this charade?Do you really need a law degree? If not, I’d be happy to leave my job for something more local.

Rhonda September 29, 2022 (7:28 pm)

The drug users’ version of the neighborhood ice cream truck. I wonder how many of these rolling pharmacies are on our peninsula?

WSEARES September 29, 2022 (8:10 pm)

I begin to wonder why these judges in King County are so soft on criminals. Be curious to hear their reasoning in the trial for dropping bail from the requested $100,000 to just $10,000 (which only 10% has to be paid up front to get bailed out so that’s $1,000 cash). This suspect probably had no issue finding someone with a drug addiction to post $1,000 cash for his bail so they can get their next fix. We have a very broken criminal justice system and one that isn’t sustainable to keeping our streets safe now or long term. Can’t wait to see when these judges are up for re-election because they now seem to be the root cause of allowing dangerous criminals back out on our streets time and time again. No wonder the Seattle police moral is so low, no wonder many don’t want to come work for SPD, they risk their lives daily playing a dangerous game of catch & release only for there to be zero accountability & zero justice! I can only imagine how it feels to put your life on the line & get to see no real progress in keeping Seattle safe, the whole reason you joined the force. The police who risk their lives in arresting him and others & the prosecutors office who asked for bail to be as high as $100,000 to keep him locked up are not the ones who are to be blamed anymore but these inept unqualified judges who let criminals (even violent dangerous criminals like this one) off far too easy!! I’d be very curious to know which neighborhoods these judges live in and how they feel when they are personally victimized by criminals in our county. But I will assume they live in gated high end communities which are mostly safe from this criminal behavior that’s rampant in our county and city. SMH. Take down names now and come election time let’s Vote em all out!

1994 September 29, 2022 (9:54 pm)

Job security? If they keep getting more business that keeps the judges and the court in business… and would boost the courts need for more funding….
Mr. Henry September 30, 2022 (9:33 am)

Agree with your post 100%. Can anyone really answer the WHY Question??I don’t understand how these so called judges can look themselves in the mirror and say justice is being served. We the people can vote them out.
RW September 30, 2022 (9:35 am)

“Can’t wait to see when these judges are up for re-election …”. Or you could do the work yourself, it took me a whopping 3 minutes.

Judge Kristin Shotwell will be on the November ballot for re-election.

Unfortunately, she is running unopposed.
- WSEARES September 30, 2022 (12:06 pm)
  
  Running unopposed!? I wonder why!? I do remember seeing a retired judge on the Seattle is Dying documentary saying if you’re not soft on crime you will be forced out of your job. But I feel the tide is shifting and people want criminals held accountable and true justice! Since she is running unopposed no wonder she feels no heat to do the right thing. Unbelievable! There has to be a way for voters to get them removed from their position for failing to provide justice, this is sickening! We can only hope the new prosecutor is strong as well. This is only one judge that’s been soft on crime recently, be curious what the names of the others are and if they will run unopposed as well. If so then that answers my question… if running unopposed they feel no heat to losing their power in an election and can do as they please even if that harms the county/city! Wow. Broken justice system indeed. Not sure how they look in the mirror at night either!! Pathetic!

Thomas Wood September 29, 2022 (8:18 pm)

Its just unreal crime is surging all around us.And a judge reduces bail on a 12 time convicted felon.What are these judges thinking?

1994 September 29, 2022 (8:21 pm)

Was the RV drug salesman able to bail himself out with his $5000 cash or is that withheld by the police as evidence (not available for bail)?

Math Teacher September 30, 2022 (5:55 am)

If I’m reading this correctly, the drug salesman’s bail was set 4 days before charges were even filed by the prosecutors’ office. Sounds to me like the prosecutors’ office may have asked for higher bail without being prepared to legally justify to the court the need for a higher bail. The judge hasn’t “let someone off easy,” he has set bail based on the situation as presented in court by the prosecutors’ office. Maybe instead of firing the judge, there needed to be more alacrity from the prosecutors.

anonyme September 30, 2022 (6:34 am)

I’m just flabbergasted by these reports. First, a 12-time felon setting up an RV drug business in an area recently swept. How many sweeps can taxpayers pay for? Why was this area allowed to be repatriated so quickly? There should have been action taken when the first RV reappeared, rather than allowing yet another huge, expensive festering sore to develop on our streets. The assault case is equally, if not more disturbing. This woman has clearly been a menace for some time, assaulting multiple people apparently without consequence. Most troubling is the fact that she has a 6-year-old child living with her, who is clearly not safe with this woman – still, no action from CPS despite clear knowledge that the child is endangered. And then this: “Police arrived at some point…”. How reassuring.

WSB September 30, 2022 (10:11 am)

The report notes that her child is in foster care.
- anonyme September 30, 2022 (10:51 am)
  
  Thank you, at least that’s some consolation. What a terrible life for that poor child.

Alf September 30, 2022 (8:01 am)

Kristin shot well is on the ballot this November

anonyme September 30, 2022 (10:54 am)

She is undoubtedly running unopposed, so what are our options? The laws must be changed to make judges more accountable; voting them out is a terrible ‘only’ option.

SLJ September 30, 2022 (9:22 am)

Was the woman who was arrested for assault the one who assaulted the Roxhill principal? And what happened there–the principal is gone but I didn’t hear any details.

War on Drugs September 30, 2022 (9:33 am)

Anybody notice what he WASN’T selling out of the RV? Marijuana. Ten years ago he surely would have also been selling weed. You want to shut down drug dealers? There’s one sure-fire way: legalize and regulate.

momosmom September 30, 2022 (9:57 am)

WAR ON DRUGS, You really think legalizing these drugs/narcotics… ” The “several types of drugs,” according to the charging documents, included fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.” will shut down the dealers? I think not, IMO what needs to be done is to go after the Pharmaceutical companies that make “some” of these drugs and of course the drug dealers too.And a big GOOD JOB tom the undercover detectives that got these drugs and dealer off of the streets!
Rhonda September 30, 2022 (2:14 pm)

Illegal (untaxed) marijuana dealers get arrested almost every day in this State and every other State with legal weed. What you’re advocating is a War on Young Lives.

LPM September 30, 2022 (10:12 am)

So wait, we spent resources on a sting operation only to have the dealer post bail and go home? Why in the hell are we even doing these sting operations? So frustrating!

T Rex September 30, 2022 (10:20 am)

Seriously, legalizing drugs? Weed is very different compared to what they found there. Legal drugs like this would do nothing to help the kids who are dying left and right from overdoes from fentanyl and heroin. Yes, eliminating the dealers and the people who are selling for them would help in some way, but easy access to people is not the answer. We are in this crisis thanks to the doctors that told us opioids were not addictive. Uh, yes they are and that is what started this whole mess though the late 1990’s to where we are today. And regulating it, who is going to do that? Our government? Even worse, our local government? Hell, they almost opened safe injection sites in Seattle like they have in Canada I believe. Enable the user, we get more control. Sound familiar? That is the beginning to Socialism in my opinion. But then, this is Seattle after all.

WestSeattleBadTakes September 30, 2022 (11:46 am)

Decriminalization and safe injection is the appropriate and humane approach, assuming you actually care about solving the drug problem. How about you read some studies, here’s just one.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34218964/

“Conclusions: For people who inject drugs, supervised injection facilities may reduce the risk of overdose morbidity and mortality and improve access to care while not increasing crime or public nuisance to the surrounding community.”

Also, tell me you don’t understand socialism without telling me you don’t understand socialism.
- Sue Luke September 30, 2022 (4:19 pm)
  
  Thanks for the link. I believe that this would be smarter than what we’re doing now. But I’m not sure America will ever do it.
- anonyme October 1, 2022 (6:19 am)
  
  The NIH is a medical research institution. I don’t see how they are qualified to make the claim that legalization and safe injection sites do not increase “crime or public nuisance to the surrounding community”. Bollocks. Decreased mortality, possibly, but addicts still need to steal to survive. Unless, of course, we taxpayers supply all their needs – food, shelter AND heroin. And then where is the impetus to quit? Nothing to do with socialism, just common sense.
  - CAM October 3, 2022 (8:31 pm)
    
    The NIH is the National Institute for Health (not medical research) and health in fact encompasses a broad swath of areas and things that cannot be constrained by your concrete definition. There are many health research studies funded by the NIH which directly assess the impacts of crime and drugs on the community and also others which investigate the impacts of safe-injection sites on the 1) crime rates in surrounding areas, 2) rates of drug use in surrounding areas, and 3) impacts on the wellbeing of community members and the community as a whole. They are all easily accessible to you as well.

Chris September 30, 2022 (10:43 am)

As long as homeless camps and RVs are allowed to stay in one place for more than 72 hours, they will become established and empowered to do whatever they want. I watch RVs drive into the neighborhoods on Harbor Ave, Alki Ave and Beach Dr. every night looking for a spot to park and to stay longer if possible. They must talk to each other and identify areas where they are not harrased or forced to obey parking rules. Then they have their base for dealing drugs and other crimes in our neighborhoods, and it just keeps growing. It’s a simple fix but city leaders continue to refuse to enforce parking rules that will make it difficult to establish camps. There seem to be 5 or 6 RVs that are now being allowed to stay parked in the same spots in front of Saltys and Mee Kwa Mooks Park. This attracts more RVs and tents in the greenbelts nearby. It’s time to stop this nonsense that only does harm to our neighborhoods. These are not people looking for help. They are looking for a spot where they are allowed to do whatever they want, and city leaders are handing them our neighborhoods and streets to use as they wish.

WestSeattleBadTakes September 30, 2022 (11:31 am)

The stupidity of our society is on full display in these comments. Unfortunately the ones who need to realize that don’t have the self-awareness to do so.

T Rex September 30, 2022 (2:31 pm)

“Conclusions: For people who inject drugs, supervised injection facilities may reduce the risk of overdose morbidity and mortality and improve access to care while not increasing crime or public nuisance to the surrounding community.” This statement is a crock of crap and just another way of US paying for the costs of addicts. STOP USING DRUGS and STOP SELLING DRUGS to afford your drug use. Never ending cycle. Have you seen what they are going to do to our beautiful International District without even talking to the people of the International District? It will RUIN that area just like every neighborhood where these people land.
I hear a Linda Ronstadt song here, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, playing in the background.

RB October 1, 2022 (9:04 am)

I am the 66 yr old woman whose car has been vandalized TWICE by CRAZY _ _ _ _ in the Apts at 35th and Holden. I have SIX incident reports with SPD which include physical assault, trying to break my door down to get at me in my apt and numerous other “incidents.” This resident has been terrorizing this entire building but particularly the residents of the South wing, 4th floor since May 2022. I have about 34 email exchanges to management documenting incidents and requesting help. Said “Crazy person” has been indiscriminately throwing rocks at residents heads, beat up some random girl at the bus stop, thrown hot coffee in a resident’s face and on and on and in…. As I predicted, it has escalated to a very dangerous level. Management hides behind , “our hands are tied because of Seattle tenant laws and because she is Section 8. I have spent days and days dealing with this. I have a restraining order which includes protection fir my car BUT nobody can find it. The Court Clerk swears she faxed it, the cops cannot access it so, as a result CRAZY _ _ _ _ has never been served the notice. Apparently she did not KNOW she wasn’t supposed to beat my car… Unfortunately this news article makes it sound like it’s the dog’s fault. Nope. She does hate my 10 year old mellow Lab but she hates me even more cuz I told her to, “shut the f?&5 up and go away.”

Things that make me go Hmmm???? October 1, 2022 (7:13 pm)

I wasn’t aware that unanimous objects could obtain protection legally through a protection/restraining order! Unless of course you are inside or within the 3-500 ft perimeter of said property. Trespassing laws for sure but to be trespassed from an opps car. Leaves me a little confused on all parties involved credibility.

Sorry, comment time is over.