King County Crime Dive

King County Crime Dive

In this episode, a pair of King County residents have been charged with promoting prostitution and operating nearly a dozen Washington state massage businesses as fronts; and Renton police have initiated a homicide investigation into the death of a 17-year-old boy.

A Washington, D.C., jury convicted an Auburn man and three other Proud Boys members of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

In this episode, a Burien man is convicted for murdering two people and dumping their bodies in a suitcase; Renton police investigate the death of a 40-year-old woman who was found lying on the road; a former Kentlake High School science teacher faces a charge of communication with a minor for immoral purposes after he allegedly told a 15-year-old student “that he loved her and wanted to have sex with her.”

In this episode, two King County men face multiple federal charges for allegedly illegally purchasing more than 100 firearms in less than two years and transferring the guns to others; Kent Police fatally shoot a 52-year-old man armed with a circular saw; and a Des Moines woman receives a 30-month prison sentence for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Brett Michael Gitchel is facing charges in the case involving a woman who was last seen March 31 at a Mariners game she attended with the suspect; and the attorney general sues Pupplyland, alleging the company sold unhealthy dogs while misleading consumers with “predatory” loans.

Take a deeper dive into the top stories of the week from King County. Brought to you by Sound Publishing's King County newspapers: Federal Way Mirror, Auburn Reporter, Kent Reporter, Renton Reporter, Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Mercer Island Reporter, Snoqualmie Valley Record and more.

A grand jury indicted 27 people on drug trafficking charges with ties to a white supremacist prison gang; Kent police investigate the death of a homeless man as a homicide; a Renton man faces charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.

This episode explores the arrest of a man accused of shooting at a neighbor's house - he said the neighbors were trying to "microwave" him - and possessing improvised explosive devices; police recover millions of dollars in stolen property after thrift shop scheme; a Kent man faces a first-degree murder charge for the death of his friend.

This episode explores the arrest of a teen who brought a gun to Auburn Riverside High School; a school security guard in Federal Way who has been charged with a sex offense; and the shooting death of a teen at a Federal Way apartment complex.

In this episode, a podcast host and her husband are shot by a stalker in a Redmond home invasion; we look at how few details have been released since the May 2022 shooting death of a 31-year-old man by King County Sheriff’s Office deputies; and investigators try to solve the mystery of who shot a bald eagle.

The “Renton rock thrower” pleads guilty; homicide takes place at an Auburn area home for the second time in just a few months; Kent police search a man who stole a vehicle with two children inside; and a man goes on a pepper-spray spree in Auburn.

In this episode: Suspects making their getaway from the scene of an armed robbery in Auburn narrowly missed smashing into an oncoming train; and the Kent police chief targets pursuit laws and other public safety concerns.

"Judged by XII" tells the story of Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson, whose troubled career led to a murder charge in the shooting death of Jesse Sarey. 

Renton police and the ATF investigate a smash-and-grab burglary at a gun store; and a security officer is placed on leave over allegations of misconduct with a Federal Way student.

In this episode: Renton leaders disagree with King County on several environmental and safety aspects of a proposed asphalt plant.

Carjacking suspects drive off with a child in the vehicle; a middle school teacher is murdered by her son; and police investigate a double homicide at a Kent motel.

In this episode, we look at the story of Mark Wallace, who was 14 when he was killed by his older brother’s friend, John H. Schoenhals, back in 1985. Now the family of Wallace fears his killer could be released from state prison.

In this episode, we take a closer look at five teen suspects lead police on a car chase that ends at a mall; and the response to a hazardous chemical release at a Kent warehouse.

We look at hit-and-run that killed a 63-year-old woman near a Kent bus stop; a woman who was jailed for allegedly damaging an Enumclaw bookstore; and a King County physician’s license is suspended over accusations of child molestation.

In this episode, we look at Renton music teacher who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with at least three of his students; and a Kent teacher who is under investigation of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and sexual misconduct with a minor.

In this episode, we look at how King County programs meant to route adults out of jail or prison are falling short; a rise in shootings in the Kent area; and how the King County prosecutor hired private attorneys in an Auburn police officer’s murder case.

In this episode, Federal Way schools pay a multimillion-dollar settlement over the death of a student athlete; and local governments prepare to receive money under the state’s opioid resolution.

In this episode, a SWAT team responds to a Renton domestic disturbance; an auto theft task force arrests recovers stolen vehicles and arrests suspects; and police arrest a man who was peeping into toilet stalls at a casino.

In this week’s episode, we look at the mysterious 2021 deaths of Manuel Gil and his two teenage daughters, Mariel Yadira Gil and Dalila Gil. How could the three starve inside their Renton home? Did they do it willingly? Who is to blame?

In this week’s episode, we look at a child who was shot in a road rage shooting in Renton; new rules for shopping carts on Federal Way's streets and sidewalks; a 44-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with a Redmond cold case disappearance.

In this week’s episode, we look at use-of-force policies and body-worn cameras for the King County Sheriff's Office.

In this week’s episode, a Kent man is being held on $1 million bail in the shooting death of his mother’s boyfriend; and the release from jail by a King County judge of four armed carjacking and robbery suspects has caused an uproar.

Three Kent men are among 17 people facing federal drug charges for allegedly trafficking more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills; firefighters at South King Fire and Rescue who were let go because of the vaccine mandate will be allowed to return to work; four juveniles were arrested in an incident involving gunshots, a stolen car and a pursuit.

In this week’s episode, the ACLU responds to a statement from South King County mayors regarding police reform amid an increase in murders and other crime statistics.

In this week’s episode, a jury unanimously found Federal Way police were justified in the shooting death of Robert Lightfeather; a Kent man was charged after a toddler in his care overdosed on methamphetamine; and classes were canceled at Hazen High School in Renton after a car crashed into the building.

A suspect has been charged with murder after allegedly striking another man in the head with a rock; Auburn proposes more anti-drug emphasis areas in the city; and Kent police arrest a man for allegedly killing his wife inside her home.

In this week’s episode, state troopers arrest a man accused of throwing rocks from a highway overpass, while the county launches a plan to address behaviorial health needs.

A Renton man pleads guilty to threatening to burn down a Seattle police union building; Auburn is among cities that could receive money to fight the opioid epidemic; and a Black Diamond man pleads guilty to child molestation and assault after administering homemade chemicals to his daughter.

In this week’s episode: Leaders from Christ’s Church in Federal Way said an unknown arsonist torched one of their shuttle vans in yet another act of vandalism at the church; early data suggests program can reduce recidivism among juveniles in King County compared to traditional prosecution; and Auburn Police are looking for the suspect in a car bombing that took place during a funeral.

This week’s episode takes a closer look at a fatal police shooting in Federal Way; a standoff with police in Kirkland; a fatal trench collapse at a Renton construction site; and Kirkland police investigate an illegal steroid operation.

This week’s episode takes a closer look at a coroner’s inquest into a different death involving an already embattled police officer; how law enforcement found a ghost gun and lots of drugs on a King County burglary suspect; and the delay of school in Kent because of a teacher strike.

King County Local Dive: Aug. 19, 2022

Nearly two years into their implementation of the Health Through Housing initiative, King County officials remain steadfast in their housing first approach to the region’s homelessness crisis. This podcast takes a deeper look at program's philosophy and how it can ultimately save taxpayers money in the long run.

This week's episode takes a closer look at a 19-year-old mom charged with murder in the death of her toddler; the spread of invasive European Green Crabs in Washington state; and the number of solved crimes by the Auburn Police Department.

This episode takes a closer look at the removal of unauthorized ballot drop box signs that warn King County voters the drop box is “under surveillance;” new information released in a shooting involving two King County Sheriff's Office deputies; new legislation that declares fentanyl a public health crisis in King County; and the Renton City Council unanimously passing an ordinance that prohibits dogs sourced from puppy mills from being sold within the city.

This week’s podcast takes a closer look at illegal dumping that’s gotten out of hand along Green River Road; a Federal Way restaurant owner who was severely injured in a road rage shooting; and the relocation of an iconic totem pole in Fall City amid accusations of cultural appropriation.

This episode explores Nelson’s violent history against members of the Auburn community prior to the killing of Jesse Sarey. These instances, explained during a pretrial hearing, include using a Taser and choking a man until he was unconscious then exaggerating on the police report and Nelson’s celebratory reaction after a police K9 attacked a child.

This week’s podcast takes a closer look at a $1.5 million payout to a Kent assistant police chief who displayed Nazi insignia on his office door; a Kentwood High School teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a student; auditors find racial disparities in use of force at the King County Sheriff’s Office; Kirkland police arrest a student who threatened to carry out a school shooting on social media.

Special podcast explores King County's Health Through Housing Initiative 

Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson (who is on trial for murder) appears on a police recruitment banner; monkeypox comes to King County; a group called Keep Kids Safe protests hotel for the homeless in Kirkland over the site’s location near schools.

This episode takes a deeper dive into stories about an Auburn couple on the run from the FBI; a Renton man who was sentenced to prison for beating a 21-year-old woman to death; and a dog who attacked a child in Auburn before being shot by police.

This is the fourth installment of a special podcast series on the case of Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson, who is the first police officer to be charged with murder since Washington voters approved Initiative 940, which changes the burden of proof for prosecution of police homicides Jesse Sarey was killed by Officer Nelson in 2019

This episode explores the life of Jesse Sarey through the eyes of his foster mother, Elaine Simons, who talks about Sarey's struggles with mental illness and homelessness.

This episode explores King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg’s decision to charge Nelson with second-degree murder and first-degree assault. We also take a closer look at Initiative 940. Warning: This podcast contains audio of the shooting of Jesse Sarey, who was killed by Officer Nelson in 2019.

This episode explores Officer Jeffrey Nelson’s pattern of violent behavior and misconduct while working with the Auburn Police Department. Records show Nelson used force against civilians 92 times between May 2011 and November 2018, and 57 of those incidents resulted in injuries that required medical attention — a higher rate than the rest of the department’s officers. This is the second installment of a special podcast series on the case of Nelson, who is the first police officer to be charged with murder since Washington voters approved Initiative 940, which changes the burden of proof for prosecution of police homicides. 

On this week's episode we explore the history of alleged misconduct by a Federal Way educator student athletics coach; we give an update on the Kent School District's review of a LGBTQ-themed book which some parents and teachers believe is inappropriate for middle school students; and we cover the spree of violent robberies across the region that three teenagers are believed to be responsible for.

This episode launches a special podcast series on the case of Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson, who is the first police officer to be charged with murder since Washington voters approved Initiative 940, which changes the burden of proof for prosecution of police homicides. A month after Nelson shot and killed Jesse Sarey in 2019, he sat down at an Auburn police substation with his lawyer to read a prepared statement on the killing. However, Nelson’s statement regarding the killing conflicts with the eyewitness’s account on key details. The Auburn Reporter has obtained audio of these statements through public records requests. Warning: This episode contains graphic language and depictions of violence.

Next week’s episode will explore Nelson’s history of violence as an Auburn police officer and why the King County Prosecuting Attorney decided to charge Nelson in the death of Jesse Sarey.

On this week's episode we discuss a Bellevue Police and Fire pilot program that sought to find better ways for authorities to safely respond to mental health crisis situations; Raymond Still from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald breaks down Enumclaw's push to leave King County; and we give an update on the County's move to expand the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill amid pushback from certain stakeholders and advocates.

On this week's episode we discuss a restorative justice program for juvenile defenders in King County with a juvenile prosecutor; Alex Bruell from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald comes on to discuss how Washington state legislators tweaked a sweeping set of police reforms from the previous year; and how The Snoqualmie Tribe of Indians is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision that they say sets a dangerous legal precedent for tribes across the country.

This episode takes a closer look at former Seahawks star Richard Sherman’s mental health crisis; a Mercer Island resident who created a digital tool to aid Ukrainian refugees; a criminal justice reform system that’s under fire from some local mayors; and King County’s first in-person advocacy program for sexual assault victims.

This episode takes a closer look at an Auburn police officer who committed a hit-and-run; the countywide impact of a Redmond mail distribution center’s potential closure; the ongoing case of a Kent assistant police chief who was placed on leave for displaying Nazi insignia; and the controversial anti-vaccination comments made by a Federal Way City Councilmember.