Man arrested in Lewis County on 26-year-old warrant

In October 1998, Michael L. Prescher, then 35, was arrested on the first day of Washington state's general deer season.

Prescher had told the officer he was hunting with a friend. But when the officer ran Prescher's license information, he learned Prescher had a felony conviction in California.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Prescher was also found with alleged amphetamine.

He was eventually charged in 1999 with second-degree unlawful firearm possession and possession of a controlled substance.

After failing to appear in court, a judge issued a warrant for Prescher's arrest with a bail of $5,000. The warrant remained outstanding for 26 years.

On Thursday, Prescher, 63, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court following his arrest the previous day.

According to defense attorney Rachael Tiller, Prescher was back in town for his father's funeral.

Tiller said Prescher, who reportedly lives in Hawaii, did not have the means to post bail and didn't intend to, adding that he intended to complete the case quickly.

A judge set Prescher's bail at $10,000 cash or bond. Release conditions prohibit him from leaving Western Washington without the court's permission.

Prescher is scheduled for an arraignment on June 11.

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