Court Report

The following are criminal cases heard recently in Skagit County Superior Court:

THEFT, ASSAULT

A 30-year-old Mount Vernon man was sentenced to two years, five months in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to third-degree theft, second-degree assault, attempting to elude a police vehicle and second-degree taking of a vehicle without permission.

According to court records, on Feb. 20 in Mount Vernon Bailey Robert John Howard was in possession of a vehicle that did not belong to him.

When the owner of the vehicle attempted to stop Howard, Howard sped off with the vehicle's owner hanging onto the hood.

The vehicle's owner eventually fell off the car, causing injuries.

When Sedro-Woolley police attempted to pull Howard over, he fled.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Howard had six other charges dropped.

DRUGS

A 25-year-old Mount Vernon man pleaded guilty Thursday to escaping from community custody, two counts of attempting to elude a police vehicle and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

According to court records, Chase William Johnson will be sentenced to seven years in prison.

The sentence will run concurrently with a seven-year Johnson received June 16 after pleading guilty to controlled substance homicide.

On March 28, Johnson was arrested for two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and eluding a police vehicle.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Johnson had nine other charges dropped.

DRUGS

A 29-year-old Mount Vernon man was sentenced to seven years, one month in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and four drug charges.

According to court records, on July 7, 2025, Andres Venegas was found to be in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

The suspected drugs tested positive for being cocaine and heroin.

Because he is a convicted felon, Venegas is not permitted to possess a firearm.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Venegas had three other charges dropped.

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