Man pleads guilty to third-degree assault — domestic violence
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge Tuesday.
Matthew Lee Garza, 41, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, criminal negligence and bodily harm with a weapon at Grant County Superior Court on Oct. 8. Judge Tyson R. Hill sentenced Garza to 364 days in custody with 274 days suspended.
According to a statement filed by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Samaritan Hospital at about 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25, following a report from the Multi-Agency Communication Center of a physical domestic disturbance. The victim had sought refuge at Samaritan Hospital, the GCSO statement said.
Responding deputies met with the victim, who was receiving medical care for injuries to her face. She was sent to a hospital outside the area for specialized treatment.
The victim said her partner, Garza, had caused the injuries.
Later that evening MACC received further reports of a verbal disturbance involving Garza. At approximately 10:30 p.m., law enforcement located the individual in a shed situated in the backyard of a residence on Vandenberg Avenue, near where the initial assault was alleged to have taken place.
Upon questioning, the suspect acknowledged knowing the victim and identified her as his girlfriend.
Garza was placed under arrest and denied harming the victim.
The suspect was transported to Grant County Jail and booked on charges of second-degree assault — domestic violence. Grant County prosecutors reached an agreement with Garza to plead guilty to third-degree assault — domestic violence Oct. 4.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
1 arrested after Highway 17 stop; detectives recover fentanyl, firearms
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Randolph Road and executed a search warrant Friday morning as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
4th-year drought declaration in WA, subtle effects in the Columbia Basin
EPHRATA — Washington’s fourth straight year of drought is expected to hit some regions hard, but in Grant and Adams counties, the impacts will look different – quieter, less visible and centered underground. Statewide, the Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration after a warm winter left Washington with about half its usual snowpack, raising concerns about low summer streamflows, stressed fish populations and heightened wildfire risk. Seven of the past 10 years have included drought somewhere in the state. “If you look at our mountains, the challenge we are facing is clear,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a press conference Wednesday. “We’re taking emergency action to protect fish, farmers and communities across Washington.”
Sleep Diagnostic Center to close after doctor’s sentencing
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sleep Diagnostic Center announced it will be closing its doors effective April 30. This includes locations in Moses Lake, Spokane Valley, Brewster and Wenatchee. The announcement follows the March 25 guilty plea from Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, 57, in United States District Court to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “The adulterations by Dr Haeger show a dangerous disregard for the safety of his patients,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. “This is a win for patient safety, for protecting public dollars from fraud, and for ensuring citizens of Washington get necessary healthcare. This case exemplifies the great work our team is doing in collaboration with our federal partners to fight fraud and protect Washingtonians.”