A Pe Ell man was arrested June 6 and charged Monday in Lewis County Superior Court with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing a stolen firearm, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance after a police dispatch to his residence led to a foot pursuit.
Johnny Isaacson, 33, had three active warrants at the time of the incident and a history of 35 prior warrants for his arrest. Bail was set at $100,000 for a defendant that Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer said “just does not get it,” citing his history.
On June 6, within the boundaries of Lewis County, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to Isaacson’s residence, as he had active warrants for his arrest. At the time of police arrival, Isaacson fled and a foot pursuit ensued, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Lewis County Superior Court.
During the pursuit, deputies chased the defendant through a shop located on the property. Deputies found a firearm in the shop and took it for safekeeping. The other resident of the property denied ownership of the firearm and confirmed Isaacson may have additional firearms on him, court documents state. The firearm located was reportedly loaded and reported as stolen out of Pierce County.
Also during the chase, the defendant removed a camouflage jacket. A search of the jacket revealed three packages of a substance that tested positive on a field test kit for methamphetamine, according to court documents.
Along with Isaacson’s three active warrants and history of 35 warrants, he also has prior convictions for possessing stolen property and unlawful possession of a firearm. In addition, the defendant is currently facing charges in Clark County for four counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and three counts of possession of a stolen firearm.
Judge Joely Yeager sided with Meyer’s request for $100,000 bail cash or bond and agreed with the prosecution’s concern for community safety.
“It’s certainly warranted in this situation,” Yeager said of the bail amount. “I have said multiple times over and over that unlawful possession of a firearm is one of the biggest threats to our community's safety.”
Arraignment is scheduled for July 10.
The maximum punishment for felony second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm is five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Possessing a stolen firearm, a class B felony, can amount to up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
