Decoding crime

Decoding Crime
When Protest Crosses the Line
Enumclaw High Walkout Turns Into Criminal Case
ENUMCLAW, WA — What began as a student-organized protest against federal immigration enforcement quickly turned into a law-enforcement incident now under review by juvenile prosecutors.
On February 13, more than 100 students walked out of Enumclaw High School and marched through downtown to City Hall, carrying signs that read “No ICE,” “No Hate No Fear,” and “Immigrants Are Welcome Here.” The protest was part of a broader nationwide movement opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
While most of the demonstration remained peaceful, events took a sharp turn when an outside individual entered the crowd and began filming students. According to witnesses and police, the individual used an emergency whistle and confronted protesters, triggering a heated exchange.
The Moment Everything Changed
Police say the confrontation escalated when one student allegedly struck the man, knocking his phone and glasses to the ground. Officers moved in to make an arrest — but chaos followed.
One juvenile attempted to flee, leading to a foot pursuit through nearby streets. A second student allegedly interfered with officers, trying to prevent the arrest. Both were taken into custody.
The Charges
Authorities confirmed the case has been forwarded to the King County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office. Potential charges include:
Assault in the Fourth Degree
Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
Resisting Arrest
Because the suspects are minors, their identities have not been released.
Police Response
Enumclaw Police later issued a statement emphasizing that they support the right to protest — but not criminal behavior.
“We support the right to protest, but criminal behavior won’t be tolerated.”
Officers also responded to a report of a possible weapon near City Hall during the protest. No weapon was located.
A Community Divided
The incident has sparked debate across Enumclaw. Some residents believe students should not face criminal charges for participating in a protest. Others argue that violence and interference with police crossed a legal line.
School officials confirmed the walkout was not school-approved and participating students were marked absent. However, district leaders said they are reviewing policies around student demonstrations and safety.
Decoding Crime will continue to follow this case as it moves through the juvenile justice system.

DECODING CRIME
Why Valentine’s Day Keeps Appearing in Crime History
By Decoding Crime Investigations Unit
Valentine’s Day is marketed as a celebration of love, romance, and connection. But when researchers examine crime data and high-profile cases, February 14 repeatedly emerges as a day tied to tragedy, violence, and emotional collapse. From domestic disputes to historic murders, Valentine’s Day holds a dark reputation that goes far beyond coincidence.
So why does a holiday about love keep appearing in criminal history?
The Emotional Pressure of February 14
Valentine’s Day carries one of the strongest emotional expectations of any holiday. Society tells people they must feel loved, wanted, and valued on this one specific day. When those expectations are not met, it creates a dangerous emotional mix:
Rejection
Jealousy
Loneliness
Anger
Financial stress
Relationship insecurity
Criminologists have found that emotionally charged holidays often lead to spikes in domestic violence, assaults, and even homicide. Valentine’s Day concentrates relationship pressure into a 24-hour window, making arguments more intense and personal.
For some, February 14 becomes a breaking point.
Crimes of Passion Peak on Valentine’s Day
Many violent crimes on Valentine’s Day are not random. They are deeply personal.
Breakups, affairs, jealousy, and unresolved emotional wounds come to the surface when couples are expected to express love. When that doesn’t happen—or when betrayal is revealed—the result can be explosive.
Investigators refer to these as “crimes of emotional ignition.” These are acts where logic is overridden by rage, fear, or heartbreak. Valentine’s Day, more than any other holiday, magnifies these emotions.
The Dark Side of Romantic Expectations
Movies, social media, and advertising portray Valentine’s Day as a perfect romantic fantasy. But real relationships are messy. When reality fails to match the fantasy, some people feel humiliated or abandoned.
This gap between expectation and reality is where danger grows.
People who already struggle with emotional control, possessiveness, or rejection sensitivity are especially vulnerable to acting out violently on this day.
Alcohol, Late Nights, and Escalation
Valentine’s Day also involves:
Heavy drinking
Late-night dates
Emotional conversations
High financial stress
These conditions increase impulsive behavior and reduce self-control. Many Valentine’s Day crimes occur late at night when arguments turn physical or when people make irreversible decisions.
Why Valentine’s Day Crimes Stick in History
Crimes committed on February 14 don’t just get reported—they get remembered.
Because Valentine’s Day is emotionally symbolic, crimes that occur on this date feel more shocking. They become cultural landmarks, embedded into public memory more deeply than crimes on ordinary days.
A murder on Valentine’s Day feels like a betrayal of the holiday itself.
Decoding the Pattern
Valentine’s Day does not create criminals—but it amplifies what is already inside them.
It brings hidden emotions to the surface:
Love
Fear
Jealousy
Rage
Desperation
For most people, it becomes a night of connection.
For a dangerous few, it becomes the moment everything collapses.
And that is why February 14 continues to appear again and again in the darkest pages of crime history.

TRAGEDY ON THE HIGHWAY: Washington State Patrol Trooper Killed in Line of Duty
TACOMA, WASH. — A routine response turned deadly Friday night when a Washington State Patrol trooper was killed while protecting the public on a busy Tacoma roadway, sending shockwaves through the law enforcement community across Washington State.
Just before 7:30 p.m., Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was assisting at the scene of a crash on State Route 509 near the Port of Tacoma when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The trooper was outside her patrol car when the collision occurred. Despite immediate aid from those on scene, she later died from her injuries.
An “Officer Down” alert was quickly broadcast as emergency responders rushed to the scene. SR-509 was shut down for hours as investigators worked under flashing lights — a grim reminder of the dangers officers face every day simply standing on the roadside.
Trooper Guting was new to the badge but not to service. Commissioned in October 2024, she was assigned to District 1 in Tacoma and had already earned the respect of her peers. Before joining the Washington State Patrol, she served eight years in the Army National Guard, continuing a life defined by duty and commitment to others.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Guting carried her passion for service from the military into law enforcement. She is survived by her husband, Timothy, himself a public servant as a deputy state fire marshal — a family united by service and now forever changed by sacrifice.
The Tacoma Police Department has taken over the investigation into the fatal collision. As of this writing, no arrests have been announced, and authorities have released limited details as the case remains active.
Washington State Patrol leadership issued statements honoring Guting’s life and service, emphasizing that her sacrifice will not be forgotten. Her death marks the 34th line-of-duty death in WSP history, a sobering milestone that underscores the risks faced by troopers every time they step onto the roadway.
DECODING CRIME ANALYSIS
The death of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting is not just a tragic accident — it reflects a persistent and growing danger during roadside responses, one of the most lethal environments for law enforcement nationwide.
🚨 Why Roadside Calls Turn Deadly
Traffic stops and crash scenes place officers just feet from fast-moving vehicles. Even with emergency lighting, flares, and lane closures, driver behavior remains the greatest threat. Distraction, speed, impairment, and simple inattention consistently appear in cases where officers are struck and killed.
In this incident, Trooper Guting was outside her vehicle assisting a prior collision, a moment where focus shifts from enforcement to aid — and where vulnerability sharply increases.
🚗 The Move-Over Law Problem
Washington’s Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes or significantly slow down when approaching emergency vehicles. Yet fatal trends show the law is frequently ignored or misunderstood, especially at night when fatigue, alcohol, or distractions reduce reaction time.
Every roadside line-of-duty death raises the same question: Is the law failing — or are drivers failing to obey it?
🔍 Key Investigation Factors
As the investigation continues, Decoding Crime will closely monitor:
Speed and lane position of the striking vehicle
Possible distraction or impairment
Visibility and lighting conditions
Traffic control and scene placement
These details often determine whether a case is ruled a tragic accident — or a preventable criminal act.
🕯️ The Bigger Picture
Trooper Guting’s death is the 34th in Washington State Patrol history, but it mirrors a national crisis. Roadside fatalities remain one of the leading causes of officer deaths, despite improved equipment and training.
Each loss renews calls for stronger enforcement, harsher penalties, and public awareness — but lasting change ultimately depends on drivers making safer decisions.
Final Thought
This was not a high-risk warrant. Not a pursuit. Not a tactical operation.
This was a trooper standing on the side of the road, doing her job — and never making it home.
At Decoding Crime, we will continue to follow this case closely, break down the facts as they emerge, and examine how policy, enforcement, and accountability intersect when a life is lost in the line of duty.

On December 5th, an inmate recently booked into our max unit after being arrested for a string of violent robberies climbed on top of the stairway railing on the second floor and attempted to jump off.

Corrections Deputies intervened and were able to prevent the inmate from hurting themselves. There were no injuries to the inmate or staff, and the inmate has been referred to Olympic Health and Recovery mental health counselors for evaluation.

Great work by our graveyard Corrections team!

Are you willing to share your story with Decoding Crime?
We’re always looking to highlight real experiences, personal journeys, and moments that deserve to be heard. If you or someone you know has a story connected to crime, justice, survival, or resilience, we’d be honored to help tell it. Your voice can bring awareness, understanding, and impact to others who may be going through similar challenges.

If you’d like to share, feel free to reach out—your story matters.

Another story from a incarcerated individual and who wanted to share their story

A Life Redirected: The Story of Blake Young’s Remorse, Responsibility, and Mission to Change Lives
Before his life became defined by concrete walls and decades-long sentences, Blake Young was a kid with promise—a boy who loved football, who traveled to Mexico on mission trips, who carried a stubborn spark that many described as that of a natural fighter. Outgoing and personable, Blake was the kind of young man people gravitated toward. And more than anything, he wanted to be a better father than the one he grew up with.
Violence was never part of Blake’s life. He had no history of shootings, gunplay, or violent crime. He wasn’t a troublemaker who seemed destined for prison. But one decision—one that Blake now replays in his mind every single day—changed the course of countless lives forever.
The Choice That Changed Everything
On October 22, 2006, Blake made a decision that would reshape his entire future. In a panic, he ran from the police. In the attempt to flee, he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. The accident killed two innocent people.
He never meant to harm anyone. But intention didn’t change the outcome. Blake was convicted of murder and won’t walk free again until February 2042.
“I am not a killer,” Blake says, “but I was charged with murder. That’s hard itself. It makes it seem as though I had intention.”
The weight of that tragedy follows him every day—especially in the moments when he realizes what his actions cost him: missed birthdays, missed first steps, missed milestones with his daughter that he can never get back.
But he also carries the weight of what was taken from the victims and their families.
“It eats at me. I can’t bring them back or take it back. All I can do is try to make a difference.”
Inside the Walls: Accountability and Transformation
Prison became the landscape of Blake Young’s adult life. Early in his sentence, he walked away from gang ties without pressure or assistance—just a choice to change. He enrolled in every self-improvement and rehabilitation class he could, even though his long sentence keeps him from accessing many programs until he is closer to release.
Still, Blake works daily to grow. A single quote guides him:
“Failure is just a mile marker on my path to success.”
It’s a reminder that even inside confinement, there’s a path forward—one measured not in freedom, but in growth.
He’s honest about the person he once was: reckless, defiant, and convinced he wasn’t doing anything that would ruin his future. He never imagined his choices could lead to decades in prison or the irreversible loss of life. But denial has no place in Blake’s story now. Accountability does.
A Mission to Change the Next Generation
Blake Young knows he cannot undo what happened. But he hopes he can prevent someone else from repeating his mistakes. His mission is simple: reach young people before they make a choice that alters their lives—and others’ lives—forever.
“If one kid listens and makes better choices,” Blake says, “then it’s a huge victory.”
He wants his story told not to clear his name, but to give it purpose. He wants teens and young adults to understand that one moment of panic, one impulsive choice, one attempt to run—from cops, from consequences, from reality—can destroy everything.
A Story With the Power to Change Lives
Blake Young’s story is not one of excuses. It’s a story of consequence, remorse, and the slow, difficult pursuit of redemption inside prison walls. He cannot change the past, but he believes sharing it might change someone else’s future.
His past is unchangeable.
His pain is permanent.
But his message can save lives.
And that, Blake hopes, is where his second chance truly begins.

Tonight, our Rainier SRO Deputy Hansen and I attended a candlelight vigil at Rainier High school for Deven, a teenager who was recently killed in a drive by shooting.

Additionally, the TCSO deputy who arrived on scene and attempted life saving medical care for Deven and his brother also attended the vigil and had a chance to mourn with Deven’s family.

While the death of Deven and Alex reminds us of the fragility of life, those who have shown up to support the family remind us of the resiliency in community.

Rest in peace.

Centralia Man Held on $250,000 Bail After Early-Morning Police Chase
A Centralia man is facing new felony charges after a late-night pursuit in which police say he sped through town without headlights, ignored traffic signals, and tried to outrun officers before ultimately being found at a nearby home.
Dabe Alfredo Alvarez-Price, 22, was booked into the Lewis County Jail around 4:49 a.m. on Nov. 16 following the incident, which began in the Fort Borst Park area. Officers reported seeing a vehicle spinning its tires before accelerating onto Harrison Avenue at high speed.
When police attempted a traffic stop at about 2:51 a.m., the driver allegedly kept going, prompting officers to call off the chase due to safety concerns. According to court documents, patrol units continued checking the area and soon located both the vehicle and a man attempting to get inside a residence in a hurry.
With a warrant secured, officers entered the home and contacted Alvarez-Price. He initially denied being behind the wheel, but investigators noted he made comments suggesting he recognized the emergency lights used during the pursuit.
Prosecutors have charged Alvarez-Price with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, a Class C felony that carries a potential five-year prison sentence and up to $10,000 in fines. A misdemeanor charge for driving with a suspended or revoked license is expected to be upgraded to a second-degree gross misdemeanor, according to statements made in court.
The defendant’s history played a significant role in the court’s bail decision. Records show he has had multiple prior warrants and was convicted earlier this year of hit-and-run causing injury, DUI, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment. He was also convicted in May of three counts of fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, along with several other driving-related offenses.
Judge Paul Strophy, noting the similarities between the new allegations and Alvarez-Price’s past behavior, set bail at $250,000, matching the state’s request.
An arraignment has been scheduled for Nov. 20, with Joshua House appointed as defense counsel.

Decoding Crime: The Story of Jason Stomps — A Bail Enforcement Case That Exposed Washington’s Legal Gray Zone
In Washington State, the case of Jason Stomps remains one of the most debated incidents in the bail-enforcement world — not just because of what happened the night of his arrest, but because of the man he was before it, the documents he carried, and the major legal ruling that came after he was already behind bars and sentenced to 15 years.
To understand the controversy, you first have to understand the person at the center of it.
A DECADE OF MILITARY SERVICE
Before entering the dangerous world of bail recovery, Jason Stomps served the United States for ten years:
• 2 years in the United States Army as a truck driver
• 6 years in the United States Air Force
• 2 years in the National Guard
Those who served with him described him as disciplined, dependable, and mission-focused. His transition into bail enforcement reflected those traits — he followed procedure, respected chain-of-command, and believed in doing things the right way.
A FAMILY MAN ON A ROUTINE ASSIGNMENT
On the night that changed his life, Stomps had just finished dinner with his family in Vancouver, a reminder that he wasn’t some reckless operator — he was a father, a partner, a veteran, and a working man trying to provide for those he loved.
Around 6:30 p.m., he and his partner Dave Smith began what they believed was a straightforward attempt to locate a fugitive: Courtney Barnes, a male defendant who had failed to appear in court.
Stomps carried legitimate, court-issued paperwork authorizing Barnes’ arrest. From his perspective, he was doing everything by the book.
But the paperwork contained a critical flaw.
THE ADDRESS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The address provided for the fugitive didn’t belong to Barnes.
Instead, it belonged to the bond guarantor — a completely innocent household with no direct involvement in Barnes’ criminal case. Bail enforcement agents often rely on address information given during bond underwriting, and in this case, the address was misleading.
What unfolded next was a chaotic confrontation — the kind of unpredictable situation that even trained agents struggle to control. Law enforcement responded, and Stomps was taken into custody. The fallout would affect him for years.
A YEAR LATER: A SUPREME COURT RULING THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING
Many people don’t realize this key point:
The Washington Supreme Court case Applegate v. Lucky Bail Bonds — the case that finally clarified what bail agents legally can and cannot do — wasn’t decided until a full year after Stomps was incarcerated.
This landmark decision clarified:
• When agents may legally enter private property
• That contract authority does not override constitutional homeowner protections
• The limits of address-based authority when a fugitive doesn’t live at a listed location
Had the Applegate decision existed at the time of Stomps’ case, the legal interpretation of his actions — especially regarding property entry — might have been completely different.
Instead, he faced the consequences of a system that lacked clear structure, consistent rules, or statewide standards.
THE MAN BEHIND THE INCIDENT
Jason Stomps was more than the headline attached to his name. He was:
• A 10-year U.S. military veteran
• A family man who had just shared a meal with loved ones
• A professional known for following protocol
• A bail agent carrying legitimate court paperwork
• Someone trying to do his job as the law — at the time — allowed
The tragic irony is that his case became an example of the very confusion and legal ambiguity that Applegate v. Lucky Bail Bonds later corrected.
A CASE STILL STUDIED TODAY
The Stomps incident remains a reference point in discussions about:
• Bail enforcement reform
• Property rights versus contract law
• The dangers of mistaken addresses
• How Washington’s bail industry operates in high-risk situations
• The consequences of unclear enforcement rules
His story illustrates the thin line bail agents must walk — and the devastating consequences when outdated or unclear legal frameworks fail to protect officers, homeowners, and the public.

Another story for a incarcerated individual

Rising From the Edge: The Story of Addison Lockhart
According to his own account, Addison Lockhart’s life has been shaped by instability, survival, and a determination to rebuild himself from the ground up. While many children grow up surrounded by consistency and support, Addison’s early years were marked by movement, turbulence, and a constant search for belonging.
From the age of 12, he moved back and forth between Washington and Texas. He lived with his father for several years before being sent back to his mother’s home at 17. By 24, he was on his own—trying to work, trying to stay afloat, and struggling to find stable ground.
Living Between Places
Addison describes the ages of 24 to 32 as some of the hardest years of his life. Without a steady job or a permanent place to stay, he survived day-to-day on odd jobs, temporary work, and the unpredictable flow of life on the streets. With no foundation beneath him and few opportunities ahead of him, he turned to selling drugs while working occasionally as a mobile mechanic.
The mechanic work brought in some money, but not enough to escape homelessness. The dealing, he says, eventually became his only source of income. Riding his BMX bike around town, he hustled from place to place, stuck in a cycle that felt impossible to break.
A Pattern of Consequences
Addison’s own telling of his life includes several criminal charges and periods of incarceration, including time in jail and eventually prison. The charges—stemming from difficult circumstances and choices made during years of instability—served as harsh reminders of how quickly life can spiral when survival becomes the only priority.
Still, Addison says that he tried to pull himself together after his first charge. He found a job. He secured a bed in a shelter. He tried to get consistent, to show up to court, and to change course. But before long, another charge set him back and led to a prison sentence.
He was convicted on January 4, 2023, and his release date is scheduled for March 12, 2027.
Transformation Behind Bars
Rather than allowing prison to define him, Addison used the time to reshape his life. He earned his high school diploma and more than ten certifications, with plans to continue earning more before release. Education, he says, has been his turning point—something he never had consistent access to on the outside.
He also discovered guiding principles that he carries with him:
“Go hard or go home—but since I’m home, imma go hard.”
“Always help someone in need, because it might be you later on that needs help.”
These words aren’t bravado—they’re the values he wants to live by moving forward.
Looking Toward Life After Release
Addison envisions a simple, purposeful future once he is free:
• Riding his BMX bike around town
• Working on cars
• Fixing things for people who need help
• Using his mechanical skills to support himself honestly
• Staying focused on personal growth and stability
He doesn’t pretend his life has been easy—far from it. But he refuses to let hardship or past mistakes dictate who he becomes.
A Story of Survival and Redemption
Addison Lockhart’s journey is not a clean-cut redemption arc. It is messy, real, and marked by setbacks. It is the story of a young man who grew up without stability, fell into survival-mode living, made serious mistakes, and is now fighting to build a better future with the tools he has.
His story shows that change doesn’t always begin with opportunity. Sometimes, it begins in the hardest place imaginable—with a decision to try again.

Before proceeding, I would like to mention that this article differs from others, as it presents the story of an incarcerated individual with whom I made contact to share their story, rooted in my belief that every individual deserves to have their story told.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Darkness to Discipline: The Journey of Justin Malen-Gregoroff
Olympia, Washington — For Justin Malen-Gregoroff, life has always been a study in contrast — light and darkness, growth and hardship, triumphs and mistakes. Born in Olympia in May 1995, he describes his life as a “roller coaster,” often shaped by the two sides of his Gemini personality. Now incarcerated and nearing the final stretch of a 60-month sentence, Justin is using his time not to dwell on the past but to build a future defined by discipline, culture, and self-education.
A Life-Changing Choice
Justin is currently serving time for Second Degree Burglary — a crime that began with a betrayal. Someone he considered a friend had been stealing his identity. With a lifetime of handling his own challenges without relying on law enforcement, Justin reacted the only way he knew how, a decision that led to his incarceration beginning August 11, 2021. His release date is set for April 23, 2026.
Since then, he has been housed in several Washington corrections facilities, including Washington State Correction Center in Shelton, the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, and Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell.
Culture, Identity, and Survival Behind the Walls
Inside prison, survival often means finding where you belong. While joining a gang isn’t mandatory, inmates often align themselves with groups known as “cars,” usually based on shared racial or cultural backgrounds. For Justin, who is Alaskan Native and Russian, this meant becoming part of the Native car.
With that came something deeper — cultural grounding.
“We are allowed to practice our culture here,” Justin writes. Sweat lodges, smudging, and annual powwows offer him connection and identity in a place where both can easily be lost.
Education as a Lifeline
Beyond the politics of prison life, Justin discovered something many overlook: opportunity.
Washington’s correctional system offers free college courses, something Justin believes more inmates should take advantage of. He’s currently working toward a degree in Business Administration and teaching himself computer programming. Education, he says, has become a key part of his personal transformation.
Finding Joy in the Simple Things
When he isn’t studying, Justin’s thoughts drift toward the outside world — particularly the outdoors he loves. BMX riding, kayaking, sightseeing, camping, street racing, parkour, and airsoft competitions were his passions before incarceration. The absence of freedom has sharpened his appreciation for the small joys he once took for granted.
Being in prison “opens my eyes to appreciate the small things in life,” he reflects. It’s not just about the activities he misses, but the people — his family and friends — who add meaning to those experiences.
A Message From the Inside
Justin’s story isn’t one of excuses or self-pity. Instead, it’s a reflection of hard lessons learned and a determination to rewrite the path ahead.
“My advice is, don’t worry about getting lost from the path,” he says. “That path was someone else’s.”
In a metaphor that feels both poetic and raw, he encourages others to reclaim their own lives:
“Put your Vans on, stomp on the blackberry bush, jump over the fallen tree, and make your own trail of success — because the journey is always better than the destination.”
A Future Built on Purpose
As Justin approaches the end of his sentence, he focuses on education, culture, and personal growth — tools he believes will guide him toward a better life after release. His journey is a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, transformation is possible. Light may require darkness to exist — but it doesn’t have to be defined by it.