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Moses Lake man arrested in assault, meth case

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | May 9, 2025 12:05 AM

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines following an alleged assault in late April.  

Cesar Adame, 42, was booked on federal charges for distribution of methamphetamines, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Police Department. Rob Curry, public information officer for the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, said Adame will appear before a federal magistrate sometime in the next few days. He will enter a plea and be scheduled for a preliminary hearing, Curry said.  

The investigation began in late April, when a subject reported an alleged assault and robbery to MLPD officers. 

Moses Lake PD Captain Jeff Sursely said the MLPD Street Crimes Unit was able to connect the alleged assault with information they already had on suspected methamphetamine distribution. Grant County INET and Drug Enforcement Agency personnel worked with the MLPD on the investigation.  

Adame allegedly was attempting to intimidate the assault victim into participating in his meth trafficking organization, the press release said.  

Adame was arrested on the assault and robbery charges; SCU detectives obtained search warrants and among other things searched his apartment. They found and seized about four ounces of methamphetamine, the press release said.  

Sursely said local law enforcement officers can be deputized for federal agencies simultaneously with their local jobs. Moses Lake PD has two officers deputized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and one by the DEA. As a result, suspects that meet certain criteria can be charged with federal crimes, he said. 

“The ones that are really impacting our community,” Sursely said. 

Sursely expressed gratitude to INET and DEA agents for their assistance in the investigation. 


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