The Columbia River Drug Task Force reports a long-term human trafficking investigation that has resulted in the service of five search warrants at various locations across the state.
In 2022, CRDTF detectives were made aware of two local massage parlors which were a front for prostitution. Over the course of the investigation, two suspects were identified as a part of this human trafficking organization and warrants were issued for their arrest. The charges include: leading organized crime, promoting prostitution, and money laundering. These individuals have been identified as 60-year-old Linhui Yan and 43-year-old Yan Yang out of Tacoma.
On 03-01-2023, CRDTF detectives led a joint operation involving the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Wenatchee Police Department, East Wenatchee Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Kennewick Police Department, South Sound Gang Task Force, Department of Corrections, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security.
Search warrants were served at the following locations: 400 block of North Mission Street in Wenatchee, 300 block of North Chelan Ave in Wenatchee, 6200 block of Clearwater in Kennewick, 3600 block of Tyler Street in Tacoma, and 2000 block of 1022 nd Street in Tacoma.
This is an ongoing investigation, additional details will be released when available.
Sheriff Morrison reports on 02/09/2023 Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Detectives served a search warrant in Leavenworth.
The warrant resulted in the arrest of 53 year old Michael J Ross. Ross was later booked into Chelan County Regional Jail on 10 counts of RCW 9.68A.050(2) Dealing in Depictions of a Minor Engage in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2nd Degree and 10-counts of RCW 9.68A.070(2) Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2nd Degree.
The search warrant and arrest were the result of a 9 month investigation done by CCSO Detectives after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Evidence recovered in the search is still being processed and could result in further charges. There are no other known suspects at this time.
Sheriff Morrison reports on 02/07/2023 deputies with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary at Chelan Fruit located off Howser Rd in Chelan.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered two males had broken into the location and stole an estimated $6,900 in assorted items.
Security camera footage combined with an extensive investigation, led to the arrest of 2 Chelan men, 24 year old Alan Larumbe, and 23 year old Santiago Alexis Jimenez.
Deputies were also able to recover and return most of the items taken. Additional evidence was also recovered possibly linking both males to other burglaries in the area.
They were booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail and charged with 2 counts of Burglary 2nd Degree and Theft 1st Degree.
On December 8th, 2020, Chelan County Deputies responded to a male passed out in a vehicle in Manson, WA. Deputies that arrived on scene recognized the male as Caleb Ritz, a 39 year old male from Brewster, WA. Ritz was arrested on drug related charges and search incident arrest, Ritz had a loaded revolver on his person. Ritz is a convicted felon. Ritz’s vehicle was seized for a search warrant. Deputies worked with the Columbia River Drug Task Force Detectives and a search warrant was served on the vehicle resulting in suspected Fentanyl pills, suspected heroin and suspected methamphetamine seizure. Ritz was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the 1st degree, Possession with Intent Fentanyl, Possession with intent Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent Heroin.
On December 9th, 2022, Detectives from the Colombia River Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 700 block of North Grover Place in East Wenatchee, WA. The search warrant resulted in over 8,000 suspected Fentanyl pills being seized. A second search warrant was obtained for the resident of the property’s vehicle which resulted in roughly 400 more suspected Fentanyl pills along with 2 ounces of suspected methamphetamine an ounce of suspected heroin and a large amount of cash. Shawn Drummond a 36 year old resident of East Wenatchee was arrested for Possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl, Heroin and Methamphetamine.
On December 16th, 2022, Detectives with the Columbia River Drug Task Force conducted an investigation at the Red Lion Hotel in Wenatchee, WA where it was determined Fentanyl pills were being dealt out of one of the hotel rooms. Numerous known drug users were seen coming and going from the suspect’s room. A search warrant was served at the suspected hotel room which resulted in the arrest of Kasey Cooper, a 34 year old resident of East Wenatchee, WA. When Cooper was contacted in the hotel room by law enforcement he destroyed evidence by flushing suspected drugs down the toilet. Additional drugs to include suspected Fentanyl pills and suspected Methamphetamine were recovered in the hotel room. Cooper was arrested for Possession with intent for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. He was also charged with Maintaining a Drug Property and Obstruction.
Over the course of the investigation it was determined that Shawn Drummond, Kasey Cooper, Matthew Hendricks, Caleb Ritz, and Casey McKinstry are all part of the same drug trafficking organization. CRDTF detectives are working with our Federal counter parts with Homeland Security Investigations and the AUSA of the Eastern District of Spokane to indict these suspects under federal charges where they could face longer prison time. Ritz, Drummond, and Cooper joined their counter parts currently housed at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
The Columbia River Drug Task Force is committed to targeting Fentanyl drug dealers in the Wenatchee Valley. There have been too many lives lost and countless lives affected by this poison being distributed in our community. CRDTF is committed to working with our Federal partners as well as the Chelan and Douglas Prosecutor’s office to hold these drug dealers accountable to the highest extent of the law.
Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett reports that on 12/16/22 at approximately 1858 hours, RIVERCOM dispatch was contacted by an unknown male who stated he was angry over an incident that happened previously to the call.
The suspect threatened a local business establishment in the downtown Leavenworth area. He stated he had rifle with a large amount of ammunition and a pipe bomb. As a precaution, safety protocols were immediately administered by deputies to local businesses open at the time, causing them to shelter in place. This included Cascade Medical Center.
Several Chelan County deputies quickly responded to the area with additional support from the Washington State Patrol. Deputies conducted a thorough sweep of the downtown area and did not find anything to corroborate any threat. A thorough investigation commenced while additional law enforcement resources remained in the area to provide a security presence. Deputies continued to look for any individual(s) that presented an obvious threat to public safety. This investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office does not believe there is any concern for the safety of the public.
All available information appeared to point to another “swatting” incident and appeared not to be credible at the time. The investigation by law enforcement spanned approximately 3 hours. Law enforcement’s security presence remained in the area for several additional hours. “Swatting” incidents have been increasing throughout the country and are a serious drain on law enforcement resources.
On behalf of the Columbia River Drug Task Force we want to make the public aware of different colored Fentanyl or what is considered “Rainbow” Fentanyl that has been confiscated by law enforcement in the Wenatchee Valley within the last month.
CRDTF detectives have seen pictures of this multi-colored Fentanyl on suspect’s phones who reside in the Wenatchee Valley. We want the public to be aware of this latest trend as the Fentanyl looks very similar to candy or children’s vitamins.
Also, there have been drug seizures in Washington State, specifically in Eastern Washington, of colored Fentanyl powder that looks similar to colored chalk. We believe it will only be a matter of time before this type of Fentanyl will also make its way into our community. We urge the public to talk with your children about the dangers of drugs, to include not ingesting any type of pill that is not prescribed by a Doctor, and not trying or experimenting with any pills or powder that are given to them by an acquaintance, friend, or family member.
Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous substance.
For more information on the dangers of Fentanyl and to learn more please visit the following website.
On 11-01-22, Matthew D. Hendricks, a 29 year old resident of East Wenatchee, was observed by CRDTF Detectives in Rock Island, WA. Hendricks had a DOC Escape warrant out for his arrest at the time. CRDTF Detectives had gathered intelligence from numerous sources that Hendricks was dealing Fentanyl pills. Hendricks drove his motorcycle from Rock Island to a body shop in the 400 block of Rock Island Road. He was contacted by Detectives once he arrived at the location. When contacted, Hendricks fled into the nearby body shop and hid behind a vehicle inside the shop. Hendricks was arrested and found in possession of nearly 1000 Fentanyl pills and close to an ounce of methamphetamine. Hendricks had over $2500 cash on his person. Hendricks was arrested and a search warrant on his phone was served which revealed evidence of drug dealing. Hendricks’ cash and motorcycle were seized. Hendricks was arrested for possession with intent to deliver Methamphetamine and Fentanyl as well as Resisting Arrest.
On 11-09-22, CRDTF Detectives had been surveilling Casey C. McKinstry, a 32 year old resident of Rock Island, due to information gathered that McKinstry was dealing Fentanyl. Detectives interrupted a drug deal after seeing a hand to hand transaction at the Evergreen Smoke Shop parking lot. McKinstry was arrested for possession with intent to deliver Fentanyl, Heroin and Methamphetamine. The buyer, Christopher R. Dexter, a 30 year old resident of East Wenatchee, was also arrested for leaving two young children unattended in his running vehicle while he was purchasing drugs from McKinstry. Child Protective Services was called and notified of the situation and the children were placed in temporary protective custody. Both subjects admitted a drug deal was occurring when the CRDTF Detectives contacted them. McKinstry had approximately $4800 cash, approximately 400 fentanyl pills, about a gram of heroin, and about gram of methamphetamine in his possession. The cash and McKinstry’s vehicle were seized. McKinstry was out on bail at the time of his arrest and has a pending case out of Douglas County for firearms possession and possession w/intent. McKinstry was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. It should be noted that under the current state law for drug possession that CRDTF Detectives only course of action is to issue Dexter a drug referral for his part in the drug transaction.
Both subjects are currently housed at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
The Columbia River Drug Task Force is committed to targeting Fentanyl drug dealers in the Wenatchee Valley. There have been too many lives lost and countless lives affected by this poison being distributed in our community. CRDTF is committed to working with our Federal partners as well as the Chelan and Douglas Prosecutor’s office to hold these drug dealers accountable to the highest extent of the law.
Sheriff Burnett reports that at approximately 6:30 AM on Saturday, October 22nd, a Leavenworth resident was outside of her home in the 300 block of Commercial Street walking her dog when a bear attacked her.
The female reported the bear attacked her from behind. The female fought back and punched the bear several times during the 10 to 15 second attack. The female received significant injuries and has received medical treatment.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the scene.
A public alert was sent out to local media and information was posted to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office social media asking all residents and visitors to avoid the area until further notice.
Working with the City of Leavenworth, the Enchantment Park area was closed. As a precautionary measure, the City of Leavenworth continued to keep the Enchanted Park area closed until Sunday, October 23rd.
Officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife brought in two tracking dogs in an attempt to locate the bear that was responsible for the attack.
On October 19th, 2022 Columbia River Drug Task Force Detectives located Danielle Reyes, a 28-year-old resident of East Wenatchee, while she was driving a motor vehicle in Wenatchee. Reyes had numerous misdemeanor warrants for her arrest, and had been involved in eluding incidents with patrol officers in both Wenatchee and East Wenatchee in the recent past.
CRDTF Detectives coordinated with Wenatchee Police Officers to stop Reyes, but she fled from the uniformed police officers in marked patrol vehicles two different times in the course of a few minutes. Reyes was located again in East Wenatchee, and an East Wenatchee Officer initiated a traffic stop from which, Reyes fled again. The East Wenatchee Officer attempted a Pursuit Intervention Technique (P.I.T.) maneuver to prevent Reyes from fleeing the traffic stop. Reyes slammed on the brakes, and put the vehicle in reverse slamming into the front of a CRDTF vehicle, causing the air bags to deploy and causing extensive damage to both vehicles. Reyes resisted arrest and attempted to drive away, while she was being taken into custody.
The CRDTF Detective was driven to Central Washington Hospital as a precautionary measure. The CRDTF Detective has been discharged from CWH with minor injuries.
Initial charges for Reyes include Assault 2nd degree, 2 counts of Felony Eluding, Resisting Arrest, and Driving Under the Influence. The Wenatchee Police Department is handling the investigation on the criminal charges stemming from the events today.
The Washington State Patrol is investigating the collision.
On October 18 th , 2022 Columbia River Drug Task Force Detectives observed Victor Dominguez, a 33-year-old resident from East Wenatchee, in the 400 block of South Kentucky in East Wenatchee.
Dominguez had a warrant for a Felony DV Court Order Violation. Dominguez also had a felony warrant for Assault in the 3 rd degree stemming from an incident on October 5 th 2022 where Dominguez assaulted a Washington State Patrol Trooper, while on a traffic stop before fleeing the scene. Chelan County Sheriff’s Office also had probable cause to arrest Dominguez for an eluding incident that occurred on October 11 th , 2022, where he refused to stop and fled from Chelan County Deputies.
CRDTF Detectives as well as Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and East Wenatchee Police Officers surrounded the residence where Dominguez was last seen. Dominguez initially refused to come out when given lawful orders to do so, but he eventually did surrender and was booked for his Felony warrants, Felony Eluding, and driving with a suspended license in the 3rd degree.
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