Possession of a firearm
Ezra John Ferchen, 32, of Lopez Island, has plead guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. He was sentenced to three months of jail time for each count. Deputies came to the Ferchen home on Jan. 30 to deliver the 32 year-old an eviction notice and to take him into custody for an outstanding warrant for arrest for a failure to appear at a hearing in San Juan County District Court.
When Ferchen came to the door the responding deputies documented that they asked Ferchen to step outside, as a growling dog was in the home. According to the deputy’s report, Ferchen stepped outside, and after Ferchen was notified that he would be taken into custody, he asked to go back inside his residence to get his wallet. The deputy escorted Ferchen back into the house notifying Ferchen that it was for officer safety issues. Once inside the home, the deputy observed a SKS rifle in the doorway. The deputy then placed Ferchen in the back of his patrol car and called dispatch.
Dispatch then provided the deputy with a prior notice of ineligibility to possess firearms issued to the suspect in 2013 after he committed assault in the fourth degree against his brother. According to the deputy he was then granted a warrant to search the residence for firearms. He discovered nine guns as well as ammunition.
Ferchen’s criminal record involves prior misdemeanors of assault in the fourth degree, driving under the influence in 2013 and possession of marijuana in 2006.
Possession of meth
Nathan J. Leyba of Eastound has been charged with violation of the uniform controlled substances act and possession of methamphetamine. According to the San Juan County Deputy’s report, Leyba, 31, was spotted standing at the storage building in the back of Island Market on Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:30 a.m. The deputy didn’t recognize him as an employee of the business so he stopped to investigate. Leyba began to walk away but returned when the deputy called out to him. Leyba said that he was “getting a cigar out of the ash bin.”
Upon stating his name, the deputy realized that Leyba had two active warrants out for his arrest. After confirming with dispatch, he arrested Leyba. After searching his pockets, the deputy discovered a hypodermic needle, two empty plastic baggies and a baggie containing a hard, white substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine.
Leyba’s address listed with the judicial system is in Eugene, Ore. In Oregon, he has been convicted of burglary in the first degree; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; possession of methamphetamine; assault in the fourth degree and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Leyba has been convicted of the following felonies in San Juan County: escape from community custody; possession of methamphetamine; possession of stolen property and two counts of identity theft.
– Cali Bagby and Colleen Smith Armstrong
