Moses Lake man arrested in assault, meth case
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 4 weeks AGO
Methamphetamine, whether pure like that shown here or in less refined forms, is a very dangerous controlled substance that is highly addictive and can lead to overdose. It also has a variety of psychological effects including anxiety, paranoia and aggression.
DEA FILE PHOTO
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.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.