Category: All Records
If only there were a 3 strikes and you’re out rule at the LCSO. Time and Time and Time again these deputies screw up!
Missed Body in Vehicle…..this could be why! Deputy Dan Riordan screwed up on another investigation and more! The first two photos are taken from one section of disciplinary actions. He’s one of the many LCSO “Brady Bunch” gang
Failure on yet another crime scene!
Incompetence and Violations
Look at how many photos he can take of a vehicle he crashed, yet can’t manage that on a crime scene!
Failure on Oath, Motto, Mission, Code of Ethics, and Core Values
The Connections/Cover-up in Aron Christensen MURDER case
Incompetence and Promotions
Snaza fails again!
In November, the Lewis County News reported on a drug overdose death in Centralia that had ties to Winlock. After several months of investigation more information has come to light. This was an accidental drug overdose death which could have possibly been avoided had the LCSO acted on an email that was sent to them.
On June 17, 2020, Sheriff Snaza issued a letter to the Chief of Police for Chehalis, Glenn Schaffer and interim Chief of Police for Centralia, Stacy Denham. In the letter, Sheriff Snaza not only drops out of JNET but he also removes their commissions, stating, “As such, LCSO (Lewis County Sheriff’s Office) no longer having a footprint in JNET, for accountability and liability reasons, we will have to rescind any of the Special Deputy Commissions for partner agencies assigned to JNET (i.e., DEA, DOC, et.) until such time we would have direct affiliation with JNET once again.” The letter goes on to state, “Moving forward, I would request any intelligence on illegal narcotics related activity JNET receives that is out in the County (i.e., outside of incorporated areas of Centralia and/or Chehalis) be forwarded to our Detectives Division for investigation follow-up. In addition, I would ask that if/when investigations JNET works leads them to enforcement action in the County, proper and timely notification would be made to our Detective Sergeant so we can determine the best way to assist JNET;s efforts, if necessary.” Sheriff Snaza clearly states in the letter he wants his staff to be made aware of all potential drug busts. In October of 2022, that is what JNET did.
On October 3, 2022, one month before the accidental overdose, JNET Sergeant Tracy Murphy sent an email to Detective Alan Stull and it said:
“Alan, JNET has received information regarding Fentanyl being cooked on Byham Rd. in Winlock. If you would have the detective that you assigned this to contact me and I will provide them with all the information that I have. Due to the extreme danger to the public, if the Sheriff’s Office is not able to follow up on this in a timely manner due to staffing levels/work load, I am requesting that you allow JNET to investigate this complaint. I look forward to hearing from you or the assigned Detective.”
Nothing was done by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. No permission to JNET to intervene and no bust by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
Lewis County News also reported in the fall of 2022 that there was an email to Sheriff Snaza from Chief Denham regarding seven grow operations in Lewis County. Chief Denham stated in his email, “I can provide you with a list of the numerous cases that were turned over to you and/or your department that includes large scale illegal marijuana grow operations you received just after June 17, 2020 and are still being allowed to proliferate in your jurisdiction.” Chief Denham then goes on to state that at the time of the email, all seven grow operations were still operating and that JNET was close to dismantling these grow operations before Sheriff Snaza took the files back. He also stated thata two were ready for warrants within a couple of weeks. The Sheriff’s office did not continue to investigate these grow operations, leaving several more productions to continue. One grow operation was eventually busted during the Sheriff’s re-election campaign.
While Lewis County is seeing a large increase of Fentanyl along with other drugs, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has not re-entered into JNET, keeping the jurisdictional issues remaining and making it more difficult for JNET to rid Lewis County of the drug problem. In 2021 there were 26 related drug overdoses, in 2022 there were 31 cases with two pending on December 30.
What is he thinking?
Just a few days after the election results, Snaza shut down the entire reserve program! He told the reserves, some with over 20 years experience, to turn in their equipment.
Aron isn’t the only one
If you think Aron Christensen is the only case where the Sheriff has failed, guess again!
What’s Snaza Hiding?
RE: Aron’s death. Let’s just say Snaza is NOT protecting the accused Ethan Asbach. Why the delay in releasing any information? How many times in the past have they found a body and released the fact that they did with no other information aside from “under investigation” So why not this time? Why did they say to Aron’s family to “NOT GO TO THE MEDIA” Is it because they didn’t do a proper investigation at the crime scene, and came up with “heart attack” or “laced marijuana” and needed to try to corroborate those guesses? When are deputies now medical experts at crime scenes? There is a proper chain of events when a body is discovered and that chain was NOT followed. Why did the Chronicle ask for a statement numerous times and get shot down, and when, and only then, Aron’s family made a statement on social media, the LCSO did?
Let’s go to the supposed “events” Ethan and his female companion set off on a hike at 9pm. 9 pm without flashlights or cellphones? Who, at that age, doesn’t have a cell phone these days? He supposedly feels threatened by a “growling noise” and shoots one shot into the darkness. Have you ever heard a 4 month old puppy sound vicious? They come across the body. Then decide to keep hiking. Why would you just keep on hiking if you found a body. Lets pretend they don’t have a cellphone or cell service. Wouldn’t you try to find help? What part of “good kids” comes from this scenario? Also lets remind everyone of the current RCW on how 19 year old “good kids” can NOT legally possess a pistol or semi-automatic weapon.
RCW: 9.41.240
Possession of pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle by person from eighteen to twenty-one.
(1) A person under twenty-one years of age may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person may sell or transfer a semiautomatic assault rifle to a person under twenty-one years of age.
(2) Unless an exception under RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies, a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a pistol only:
(a) In the person’s place of abode;
(b) At the person’s fixed place of business; or
(c) On real property under his or her control.
(3) Except in the places and situations identified in RCW 9.41.042 (1) through (9) and 9.41.060 (1) through (10), a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a semiautomatic assault rifle only:
(a) In the person’s place of abode;
(b) At the person’s fixed place of business;
(c) On real property under his or her control; or
(d) For the specific purpose of (i) moving to a new place of abode; (ii) traveling between the person’s place of abode and real property under his or her control; or (iii) selling or transferring the firearm in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; provided that in all of these situations the semiautomatic assault rifle is unloaded and either in secure gun storage or secured with a trigger lock or similar device that is designed to prevent the unauthorized use or discharge of the firearm.
Now lets go to the law side of this. How does a deputy determine there’s no bullet wound? Did he travel up there with a medical examiner’s kit? Why was he allowed to call off other deputies? Isn’t it a good assumption, since they moved the body, that a proper crime scene investigation wasn’t done? I mean, the coroner came back 2 months later and finally says “gun shot” Last I knew, an autopsy doesn’t take that long. Waiting for further tests, toxicology, etc. does, but not the rest. You don’t need toxicology reports to know there is a gun shot wound. I’ll play devil’s advocate here, and not surmise the buddy buddy relationship between Snaza and Warren McLeod had any role in this story (if you need more information on that, play the sound clip on this page, of Snaza describing it).
I don’t know who Snaza is protecting. “The good kids” or the Deputies, who’s actions or inactions, solely fall on upon his shoulders, which would boil down to himself. You can definitely bet he’s protecting someone or something. Why? Because it could effect the election? Because one more bungled investigation tarnishes his already tarnished reputation?
Sheriff Snaza refused another employee provided by the prosecutors office
