A 48-year-old man convicted of multiple Class A felonies was arrested Oct. 10 for leaving the American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) treatment facility in Chehalis where he was serving the remainder of a 20-year sentence.
According to court documents, Ruben J. McGee was sentenced to 19 years and 8 months in prison in 2004 after being convicted of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful firearm possession in Mason County.
On June 4, McGee was transferred by the state Department of Corrections (DOC) to the treatment facility in Chehalis to finish his community custody as part of the DOC’s Graduated Reentry Program (GRE).
While at the facility, McGee was reportedly ordered to wear an electronic home monitoring bracelet and participate in “controlled substance rehabilitation,” according to court documents.
On July 18, ABHS staff informed McGee’s community corrections officer that McGee had left the premises. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Aug. 4.
McGee made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday for charges of first-degree escape. Bail was set at $5,000.
An arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 16. Don Blair has been assigned to represent McGee.
