A 25-year-old man who had been held in a Clallam County jail made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday to face allegations that he assaulted a Centralia police officer on Nov. 18, 2025.
Kaleb A. Gallauher is charged with one count of second-degree assault, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
An arrest warrant with a bail of $100,000 had previously been issued and filed in court on Dec. 2, 2025.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 18, the Centralia officer followed the vehicle of a suspect believed to be under the influence. That suspect was later identified as Gallauher, who reportedly had an active warrant for his arrest out of Clallam County.
A sergeant arrived and “positioned his patrol vehicle directly in front of Gallauher's, believing he might flee the area,” the affidavit states.
At one point the officer reportedly opened the door to Gallauher’s vehicle after he “attempted to leave,” according to the affidavit.
Gallauher allegedly reversed the vehicle, forcing the officer “to move back with the vehicle.”
The affidavit alleges that the officer was almost run over by the vehicle, but that he was “able to push himself away from the vehicle before that could occur.”
According to the affidavit, Gallauher was booked in a Cowlitz County jail following a pursuit.
During the preliminary hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said he was informed that Gallauher’s pending case in Lewis County interfered with the completion of a drug program in Clallam County.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said that the intention was for Gallauher to complete this case so he could return to Clallam County for a bed date to enter treatment.
Gallauher added that he was currently enrolled in drug court in Clallam County.
Judge Joely Yeager decided to keep the previous bail set at $100,000 until Gallauher’s assigned attorney could meet with him to discuss the case.
Once that happened, Yeager said, she would consider releasing Gallauher for his bed date.
The defendant is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Jan. 22.
