LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
The following list is not comprehensive. Superior Court records can be accessed at the Lewis County Clerk’s Office in Chehalis.
Sentencings
• Caleb S. Hylton, 24, Winlock, was sentenced on Sept. 9 to six months in jail and 12 months of community custody after making a Barr plea to one amended count of second-degree assault, domestic violence. A no-contact order was entered on behalf of the victim. As part of his community custody, Hylton must complete a psychosexual evaluation and domestic violence assessment and comply with all recommended treatment. Hylton was originally charged with one count of second-degree rape, domestic violence. For previous Chronicle coverage, visit https://tinyurl.com/yj2rn26z.
Preliminary appearances
• Tomas G. Contreras, 19, Tacoma, made a preliminary appearance Sept. 15 for one count of custodial assault after he allegedly struck a staff member while incarcerated at Green Hill School in October 2025. A judge released Contreras on a $10,000 unsecured bond and scheduled an arraignment for Sept. 24. Contreras had previously failed to appear in court on Dec. 23, 2025, after being issued a summons. According to Contreras’ defense attorney, Contreras never received the notice.
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Arrests
• Joseph D. Criss, 26, Centralia, was arrested and booked for alleged second-degree malicious mischief in the 1300 block of Lum Road at about 4:57 p.m. Sept. 15 following an investigation into vehicle vandalism. Video surveillance reportedly showed Criss in the area at the time of the incident. Officers interviewed Criss, who allegedly admitted to damaging the vehicle for no apparent reason.
• Timothy D. Lovette, 46, Yelm, was arrested and booked for third-degree assault after allegedly spitting on a healthcare employee in the 900 block of South Scheuber Road at about 5:25 p.m. Sept. 15.
Accidents
• Officers responded to a collision involving a vehicle and an e-bike in the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue at about 3:51 p.m. Sept. 15. No injuries were reported.
• Officers responded to a vehicle collision with property damage in the 600 block of South Pearl Street at about 5:53 p.m. Sept. 15.
• Officers responded to a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian near the corner of West Oakview Avenue and North Pearl Street at about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15. In its press log, the Centralia Police Department indicated injuries had occurred, but provided no details.
Malicious mischief
• Damage to a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of West Pear Street at about 8:12 a.m. Sept. 15. The case is under investigation.
• Damage to two buildings was reported in the 1300 block of Kresky Avenue at about 10:49 a.m. Sept. 15. Stolen building materials were also reported. The case is under investigation.
Telephone harassment
• Ean Bylsma, 20, Centralia, was referred to the Centralia Municipal Court for telephone harassment (domestic violence) in the 900 block of South Pearl Street at about 11:47 a.m. Sept. 14 after allegedly harassing a household/family member by phone call and text message.
• A case of telephone harassment was investigated in the 1500 block of Crescent Avenue at about 7:58 p.m. Sept. 14. No further information was available at the time.
CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Chehalis Police Department has not yet released its most recent call reports. The Chronicle last received a report on Sept. 9. Look for updated information in an upcoming edition of The Chronicle and at chronline.com when the reports are made available.
JAIL STATISTICS
• As of Sept. 16, the Lewis County Jail had a total facility population of 151 inmates, including 137 in the general population and 14 in the Work Ethic and Restitution Center (WERC). Of the general population inmates, 114 were reported male and 23 were reported female. Of the WERC inmates, 12 were reported male and two were reported female.
• As of Sept. 16, the Chehalis Tribal Jail had a total jail population of 20 inmates. Of those, four were from Centralia, one was from Elma and nine were from the Department of Corrections. Additionally, there were four from the Lummi Nation and one each from the Chehalis Tribal Court and the Quileute Nation.
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Sirens are compiled by reporter Jacob Farmer, who can be reached at jfarmer@chronline.com. The Centralia Police Department can be reached at 360-330-7680, the Chehalis Police Department can be reached at 360-748-8605. If you were a victim of physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault, call Hope Alliance at 360-748-6601 or the Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County at 360-623-1990.
