Kenneth W. Frye, a 23-year-old Winlock man wanted on burglary and theft charges, was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly pulled a gun on a man earlier that day.
Frye made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday for both cases.
On June 27, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office filed three charges against Frye for second-degree burglary, third-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance and put a warrant out for his arrest with a bail amount of $50,000.
According to court documents, Frye and another man, Sean Sullivan, were the suspects in a burglary and theft case that occurred in Winlock on June 25.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies reportedly found Sullivan hiding in a trailer that day and arrested him. Deputies also located stolen lamps and a silver-colored dish inside the Honda Civic Frye and Sullivan were allegedly driving, along with a bag containing methamphetamine.
They even found Frye’s driver’s license, according to court documents. But no Frye.
On Nov. 5, deputies responded to an assault complaint off state Route 6 west of Chehalis. Frye was the alleged offender, and deputies were warned he might still be inside the trailer.
The deputies first used their PA system to call Frye out. After that proved unsuccessful, the deputies reportedly searched the trailer with permission from the occupant.
The first search came up empty. The second yielded Frye.
Deputies spoke to the alleged victim, who said he had gone over to speak to the female occupant of the trailer. He saw Frye inside holding a gun.
“He said at one point, Frye racked the slide of the firearm and pointed it at his face,” court documents stated.
According to the man, he “could see right down the barrel of the firearm.”
Deputies interviewed the woman, who reportedly said the gun belonged to her mother. Deputies later recovered the gun.
The woman corroborated the victim’s story, saying that “Frye went to point the gun at (the victim), but he jumped out of the way,” according to court documents.
She allegedly clarified the victim “was already out of the way” when Frye “went to raise the gun.”
Frye was arrested for his outstanding warrant and booked into the Lewis County Jail.
He now faces additional charges of second-degree assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Both the assault charge and burglary charge carry maximum punishments of up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. The assault charge is considered a strike offense.
During Frye’s preliminary hearing, Judge Paul Strophy was tasked with setting bail for each case.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello asked that bail remain set at $50,000 for the burglary case and requested $100,000 for the recent matter, citing concerns for community safety.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for $25,000 for each case, noting Frye’s limited felony history and the fact that family were attending the hearing virtually.
According to court documents, Frye has convictions for motor vehicle theft, second-degree trafficking of stolen property, second-degree possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.
Strophy settled at $25,000 for the burglary case and $100,000 for the assault case for a total of $125,000 in bail.
An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 13, with Chris Baum assigned to represent Frye.
