By MIMI JUNG / KING 5 News
TACOMA, Wash. – A Puyallup woman continues to deny she ever laid a hand on her grandson, even at her sentencing Friday for torturing the child.
Loni Venegas was found guilty of abusing the boy, who is now 13-years old.
"I realize that, like, how I was treated there wasn't really how normal kids are treated," said the boy, who KING 5 News is not identifying.
The boy moved in with his grandparents after his mother died in a car accident, only to endure years of abuse at the hands of Venegas.
"The tragedy didn't end there because he was placed into a family where he suffered horrific and unimaginable abuse that is detailed throughout this trial," said –
The boy testified Venegas punched him, choked him and used forks to hurt him. The case was made more egregious because the Department of Social and Health Services admitted it didn't investigate claims of abuse.
At her sentencing, Venegas' loved ones asked for leniency.
"And I don't understand what's happening right now because she did nothing wrong to anyone. She's a wonderful mother," said Jasmine Venegas, Loni's daughter.
Venegas herself claimed her innocence.
"I did nothing wrong and I love him like my own, she said.
But the judge ended up giving her the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The boy's grandfather, Remil Venegas, is also charged in the case and is scheduled to go on trial next week.
Experienced legal counsel to cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs, and patients.
Seattle, Washington (206) 728-0200
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Suspected auto thief aims rifle at trooper
By HECTOR CASTRO
P-I REPORTER
A state trooper took evasive action when a man in an SUV he was attempting to stop pointed a rifle at him at a Federal Way parking lot early Thursday.
The trooper was not hurt and no shots were fired, but the patrol car was briefly disabled by a flat tire, and the SUV sped off, Washington State Patrol Trooper Curt Boyle said.
State troopers, King County sheriff's deputies and Federal Way police later found the vehicle at an apartment complex, along with the rifle and some clothing. The two men who had been in the SUV got away.
The exchange happened at 12:30 a.m. in a shopping complex parking lot at South 312th Street and state Route 99.
The trooper was attempting to stop a red Ford Explorer, which was slowly driving through the lot, and could see the driver and passenger exchanging seats, Boyle said.
As the trooper pulled alongside the Explorer, the man now in the passenger seat pointed a rifle at the trooper. The trooper swerved out of the way, and that's when he hit a curb, flattening a tire.
The SUV sped off.
Officers found the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, at the Tree Point Apartments near 18th Avenue South and South 308th Court. A K9 unit tracked down the rifle, hidden in some bushes, and two caps.
P-I REPORTER
A state trooper took evasive action when a man in an SUV he was attempting to stop pointed a rifle at him at a Federal Way parking lot early Thursday.
The trooper was not hurt and no shots were fired, but the patrol car was briefly disabled by a flat tire, and the SUV sped off, Washington State Patrol Trooper Curt Boyle said.
State troopers, King County sheriff's deputies and Federal Way police later found the vehicle at an apartment complex, along with the rifle and some clothing. The two men who had been in the SUV got away.
The exchange happened at 12:30 a.m. in a shopping complex parking lot at South 312th Street and state Route 99.
The trooper was attempting to stop a red Ford Explorer, which was slowly driving through the lot, and could see the driver and passenger exchanging seats, Boyle said.
As the trooper pulled alongside the Explorer, the man now in the passenger seat pointed a rifle at the trooper. The trooper swerved out of the way, and that's when he hit a curb, flattening a tire.
The SUV sped off.
Officers found the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, at the Tree Point Apartments near 18th Avenue South and South 308th Court. A K9 unit tracked down the rifle, hidden in some bushes, and two caps.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bainbridge vandals slash tires, spray-paint cop cars
By DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 News
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. – High school seniors are suspected of vandalizing eight police cars early Wednesday morning on Bainbridge Island.
Vandals slashed a dozen police tires, splashed paint, and keyed the doors of squad cars -- destruction estimated at about $12,000.
The vandalism occurred sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. while most of the cars were parked at the police station.
Among the damaged vehicles are several new cars not even in service yet. In addition, the chief's car was vandalized in front of his home.
"Well its not the first time there's been damage to police cars, but I think it's the first there's been anything of this magnitude," said Deputy Chief Mark Duncan.
But the culprits left behind several clues, including shoe imprints in the paint and their class year of 2008 painted all over the place.
During their lunch hour Wednesday, carloads of high school seniors drove by to gawk at the damage.
"This is not a class prank," said Ian Powell, senior class president. "I think this reflects individuals, not our entire school or grade. I think this went way too far if this was trying to be a prank."
The school superintendent says since it was likely the work of just a few people, there are no plans to penalize the whole class.
Some residents say there may be tension because police have been cracking down on a long held tradition of Bainbridge seniors painting their graduating year on streets and intersections.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. – High school seniors are suspected of vandalizing eight police cars early Wednesday morning on Bainbridge Island.
Vandals slashed a dozen police tires, splashed paint, and keyed the doors of squad cars -- destruction estimated at about $12,000.
The vandalism occurred sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. while most of the cars were parked at the police station.
Among the damaged vehicles are several new cars not even in service yet. In addition, the chief's car was vandalized in front of his home.
"Well its not the first time there's been damage to police cars, but I think it's the first there's been anything of this magnitude," said Deputy Chief Mark Duncan.
But the culprits left behind several clues, including shoe imprints in the paint and their class year of 2008 painted all over the place.
During their lunch hour Wednesday, carloads of high school seniors drove by to gawk at the damage.
"This is not a class prank," said Ian Powell, senior class president. "I think this reflects individuals, not our entire school or grade. I think this went way too far if this was trying to be a prank."
The school superintendent says since it was likely the work of just a few people, there are no plans to penalize the whole class.
Some residents say there may be tension because police have been cracking down on a long held tradition of Bainbridge seniors painting their graduating year on streets and intersections.
Boys accused in Lynden fire appear in cour
By ROB PIERCY and KING5.com Staff
LYNDEN, Wash. – Just two days after flames devoured a historic Lynden building, the two boys accused of starting the fire walked into court to face a judge.
Prosecutors say on Monday, one of the boys was celebrating his 14th birthday. He and his 13-year old friend went to the Delft Square Mall to smoke marijuana.
Up on the third floor they set fire to some papers in a frying pan, then set fire to a box and a shirt.
At that point, the fire got out of control. According to court papers, the boys tried to stomp it out, then tried using a fire extinguisher. When that failed, they left the building.
The two boys apparently talked with classmates about the fire, the classmates then told school security, who told police.
Court papers say one boy admitted involvement in the fire.
The fire destroyed the nearly block-long building, which has stood for 100 years.
In town on Wednesday, people were still talking about the fire and the loss.
"If it would have been during the night, we could have lost the whole downtown core," said Joel Kok.
"It's definitely sad," said Lean Hill. "There's a lot of people that are going to be struggling for a long time just because of one mistake."
The owner of an antique shop destroyed by the fire said his collection spanned 40 years, less than a quarter of it is insured and he doesn't know what he might be able to salvage.
"Everybody shopped in that store, everybody went there for everything they needed before the big malls came in," said Carol Preson, who owns a shop next door.
Smoke and water damage will keep her closed until July.
Like so many, she can't believe a piece of town history was lost to what one of the boys described to police as "messing around."
"I hope it teaches them a hard lesson, this is just not the thing they need to be doing," said Preston.
Bail was set at $1,500 for both teens. They will be arraigned next week on charges of first degree arson and first degree burglary.
LYNDEN, Wash. – Just two days after flames devoured a historic Lynden building, the two boys accused of starting the fire walked into court to face a judge.
Prosecutors say on Monday, one of the boys was celebrating his 14th birthday. He and his 13-year old friend went to the Delft Square Mall to smoke marijuana.
Up on the third floor they set fire to some papers in a frying pan, then set fire to a box and a shirt.
At that point, the fire got out of control. According to court papers, the boys tried to stomp it out, then tried using a fire extinguisher. When that failed, they left the building.
The two boys apparently talked with classmates about the fire, the classmates then told school security, who told police.
Court papers say one boy admitted involvement in the fire.
The fire destroyed the nearly block-long building, which has stood for 100 years.
In town on Wednesday, people were still talking about the fire and the loss.
"If it would have been during the night, we could have lost the whole downtown core," said Joel Kok.
"It's definitely sad," said Lean Hill. "There's a lot of people that are going to be struggling for a long time just because of one mistake."
The owner of an antique shop destroyed by the fire said his collection spanned 40 years, less than a quarter of it is insured and he doesn't know what he might be able to salvage.
"Everybody shopped in that store, everybody went there for everything they needed before the big malls came in," said Carol Preson, who owns a shop next door.
Smoke and water damage will keep her closed until July.
Like so many, she can't believe a piece of town history was lost to what one of the boys described to police as "messing around."
"I hope it teaches them a hard lesson, this is just not the thing they need to be doing," said Preston.
Bail was set at $1,500 for both teens. They will be arraigned next week on charges of first degree arson and first degree burglary.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Jail staff raising the alarm on proposed budget cuts
By HECTOR CASTRO
P-I REPORTER
The King County Corrections Guild is taking to the air to fight proposed budget cuts that would affect county jail facilities.
Beginning Monday, 60-second radio ads paid for by the guild began to play on several Seattle-area stations, urging listeners to contact the King County Council and Executive Ron Sims to oppose cuts that are being made to balance a budget shortfall. The county is facing a $68 million deficit.
Sims is proposing $33.3 million in cuts to criminal justice agencies alone, including the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. Under the proposal, staff will likely be trimmed from Jail Health Services and alternative detention programs will be reduced.
The cuts could also force the King County Sheriff's Office to lay off 75 deputies and reduce the number of property crimes prosecuted in the courts. Sims must have a budget proposal ready for the County Council by this fall.
P-I REPORTER
The King County Corrections Guild is taking to the air to fight proposed budget cuts that would affect county jail facilities.
Beginning Monday, 60-second radio ads paid for by the guild began to play on several Seattle-area stations, urging listeners to contact the King County Council and Executive Ron Sims to oppose cuts that are being made to balance a budget shortfall. The county is facing a $68 million deficit.
Sims is proposing $33.3 million in cuts to criminal justice agencies alone, including the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. Under the proposal, staff will likely be trimmed from Jail Health Services and alternative detention programs will be reduced.
The cuts could also force the King County Sheriff's Office to lay off 75 deputies and reduce the number of property crimes prosecuted in the courts. Sims must have a budget proposal ready for the County Council by this fall.
Othello WA man dead after being hit by deputy's car
OTHELLO, Wash. —
The State Patrol is investigating the death of an Othello man who apparently fell or jumped from a car he was a passenger in and was hit by an Adams County sheriff's deputy.
Leonel Maldonado Gonzalez was killed on Saturday night.
The Sheriff's Office reports deputy Kurt Berry was following two vehicles when the vehicle in front of him swerved sharply to the left into the lane of an oncoming vehicle.
It says the deputy then saw something dark in his lane and could not avoid hitting it.
When the 24-year-old Berry stopped, he discovered it was a person.
Paramedics were called, but the 33-year-old Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers were asked to investigate the accident.
After talking with several witnesses, investigators believe Gonzalez fell or jumped from a car.
The Adams County Coroner's Office is planning an autopsy.
---
Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com
The State Patrol is investigating the death of an Othello man who apparently fell or jumped from a car he was a passenger in and was hit by an Adams County sheriff's deputy.
Leonel Maldonado Gonzalez was killed on Saturday night.
The Sheriff's Office reports deputy Kurt Berry was following two vehicles when the vehicle in front of him swerved sharply to the left into the lane of an oncoming vehicle.
It says the deputy then saw something dark in his lane and could not avoid hitting it.
When the 24-year-old Berry stopped, he discovered it was a person.
Paramedics were called, but the 33-year-old Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers were asked to investigate the accident.
After talking with several witnesses, investigators believe Gonzalez fell or jumped from a car.
The Adams County Coroner's Office is planning an autopsy.
---
Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Noise complaint leads to police shooting
P-I STAFF
A Redmond police officer shot and wounded a man armed with a knife early Saturday.
The shooting happened at 12:41 a.m. in the 8200 block of 149th Way Northeast, Redmond police reported.
The officer, 27, was responding to a noise complaint at the residence. He arrived to find that there had been a fight and that at least one of the men involved had a knife. The officer tried to arrest the knife-wielding man, and shot him when that man allegedly threatened him with the weapon.
Redmond police did not report how many times the man was shot, nor where he was hit. He was treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital. His condition was unavailable.
The man who was shot is a 27-year-old Redmond man.
The officer, who has been with Redmond police for two years, was placed on paid leave while the shooting is reviewed. Redmond police have asked the King County Sheriff's Office to investigate.
A Redmond police officer shot and wounded a man armed with a knife early Saturday.
The shooting happened at 12:41 a.m. in the 8200 block of 149th Way Northeast, Redmond police reported.
The officer, 27, was responding to a noise complaint at the residence. He arrived to find that there had been a fight and that at least one of the men involved had a knife. The officer tried to arrest the knife-wielding man, and shot him when that man allegedly threatened him with the weapon.
Redmond police did not report how many times the man was shot, nor where he was hit. He was treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital. His condition was unavailable.
The man who was shot is a 27-year-old Redmond man.
The officer, who has been with Redmond police for two years, was placed on paid leave while the shooting is reviewed. Redmond police have asked the King County Sheriff's Office to investigate.
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