Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force Annual Report

In 2024, the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force – North (PNVOTF) made a large number of arrests. This report breaks it down by month.

In 2024, the PNVOTF made 206 felony arrests. This number includes:

• 23 homicide suspects
• 65 sex offense suspects
• 68 arrests of offenders who absconded from active DOC supervision
• 38 recovered firearms

The Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF) was formed in 2013 as part of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force of the Western District of Washington.

The VOTF includes members of:

• Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
• United States Marshals Service
• Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC)
• Mountlake Terrace Police Department
• Mukilteo Police Department.

The VOTF targets offenders who are wanted for crimes committed within Snohomish County, the greater Puget Sound, or anywhere within the United States, as well as being responsible for extraditing offenders when they flee to foreign countries. The VOTF also works closely with the Sheriff’s Office Registered Sex Offender Unit to arrest wanted subjects and sex offenders who commit violations.

Significant Arrests in 2024:

JANUARY

On January 3, 2023, while on routine patrol in Clearview, PNVOTF located a murder suspect’s vehicle at Safeway, determined the suspect had abandoned it the previous evening, and tracked them to the Three River’s Mobile Home Park. After learning the suspect would be leaving shortly, they followed a vehicle matching the suspect’s description to a boat launch off Ben Howard Rd, where the suspect fled on foot into the Skykomish River and was arrested without incident.

The Edmonds Police Department requested PNVOTF’s assistance in locating a murder suspect. After receiving information about his residence in the 23500 block of Edmonds Way, PNVOTF coordinated with the Everett Police Anti-Crime Team, observed the suspect leaving on foot and apprehended him without incident. At the time of arrest, the suspect was wearing soft body armor and armed with two handguns, six knives, and three magazines. He was later booked into Snohomish County Jail.

FEBRUARY

The suspect, wanted on a felony warrant for a double murder linked to a gang-related shooting in Los Angeles, was believed to have fled to Snohomish County, prompting LAPD to request PNVOTF’s help in apprehending him. On February 2, 2024, PNVOTF observed the suspect entering a residence on E. Casino Rd in Everett, obtained a search warrant, and, with Region 1 SWAT, executed it, using chemical munitions to force the suspect out of hiding in the attic. He was apprehended and a firearm was found hidden in his bedroom.

Another suspect was wanted in connection with a double homicide in Maple Valley during the winter of 2023, where a male and female were killed, and their bodies disposed of. Investigators identified three suspects, one of whom was killed by law enforcement, another arrested by PNVOTF, and the third, the suspect, was connected to a horse shooting in Pierce County and multiple threats against law enforcement. On February 8, 2024, after surveillance in multiple areas, the suspect was spotted fleeing in a white Ford Expedition. On February 9, 2024, PNVOTF observed the suspect leaving a residence and conducted a vehicle stop in central Tacoma. Despite using less-lethal force and negotiating for 20 minutes, the suspect surrendered, and multiple firearms, including one stolen during a home invasion in Olympia, were recovered.

MARCH
On February 27, 2024, deputies responded to a fatal stabbing at a condo in Lynnwood, identifying the suspect shortly after as the individual seen with a distinctive backpack. After PNVOTF initiated a fugitive investigation, the suspect was located and taken into custody without incident on March 6, 2024. On March 13, 2024, PNVOTF, along with Everett Police, tracked a wanted individual to a residence, followed him in a Ford, and executed a vehicle pin in central Everett after he attempted to flee. After refusing to surrender, he was arrested and booked into jail.

On March 8, 2024, PNVOTF identified a suspect vehicle linked to a robbery at a marijuana dispensary, leading to the suspect’s arrest after he fled. The second suspect later confessed to the crime and identifying the first suspect as an accomplice.

APRIL
The suspect was wanted for a shooting in Tacoma, and was under investigation for multiple home invasions, marijuana dispensary robberies, and a homicide in Everett. After fleeing to New Mexico and Arizona, he returned to Washington, where PNVOTF tracked him to Long Beach, WA. On April 19, 2024, after identifying his hotel and vehicle, deputies attempted to contact the suspect as he entered his vehicle, but he fled on foot and was apprehended after a brief pursuit. A search warrant of his hotel room uncovered a firearm, and the suspect was transferred to Tacoma PD, where federal charges for unlawful weapon possession were later filed. The suspect has since been charged with murder stemming from a 2022 homicide in unincorporated Snohomish Count. He remains incarcerated.

MAY
The suspect was wanted for a bank robbery in Marysville and a DOC felony warrant. After extensive surveillance across multiple locations, including an arrest attempt where the suspect crashed while attempting to flee law enforcement, PNVOTF tracked him to a hotel in Lynnwood on May 29, 2024. Upon contact, the suspect made threats with a firearm and indicated suicidal intentions, but after negotiating, he surrendered peacefully. A search warrant revealed a handgun, and the suspect was arrested and booked on charges including robbery, the warrant, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

JUNE

The suspect was wanted for second-degree murder in connection with a shooting in Seattle, where he shot and killed a man after an altercation in a parking garage, then carjacked a Toyota and fled the scene. After several weeks of investigation, PNVOTF tracked him to a motel near Sea-Tac, observing him leave with his girlfriend and a child before following him to a residence in Auburn. After confirming the child was not inside, deputies contacted the suspect, who surrendered without incident.

SEPTEMBER

The suspect was wanted for murder in Seattle after shooting and killing a victim following an argument. On September 11, 2024, PNVOTF began surveillance after learning the suspect was at his girlfriend’s apartment in Seattle, and later tracked him to an apartment complex in Lynnwood. With the help of the Snohomish County Drug Task Force, the suspect was followed to north Seattle, where he was apprehended without incident after a vehicle pin.

OCTOBER

The suspect was wanted on felony warrants for unlawful possession of a firearm and assault out of Bellevue, after allegedly stealing a firearm and assaulting a victim with a vehicle. PNVOTF located him at an apartment complex in Mill Creek, where he was found walking into the woods. After refusing to comply with commands and threatening officers, he was taken into custody, and a ghost gun was found on him. He was transferred to Bellevue PD’s custody, with additional charges referred for the firearm.

Another suspect was wanted for second-degree murder after allegedly shooting a victim during a drug transaction. PNVOTF, with the help of the US Marshals Service, located the suspect driving in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood and arrested him without incident following a vehicle pin.

NOVEMBER

Bellevue PD requested PNVOTF’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted for assaulting a security guard during a domestic violence incident. PNVOTF tracked the suspect to a residence in Marysville, where he refused to surrender and hid in the attic. After deploying pepper balls, the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody by Bellevue PD.

Notable Events:

In October 2024, PNVOTF participated in Operation SNOCO Chat 2024, a two-day multi-agency operation targeting Internet Crimes Against Children. The PNVOTF, along with Everett ACT and Marysville’s Pro-Act Team, handled arrests and collected evidence related to criminal behavior involving underaged children. Six suspects were arrested on charges related to crimes against children.