Tentative trial dates have been set for four people charged in a Sequim home invasion robbery that the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said was tied to drug trafficking.
Esco I. Rhodes, 32, of Kent is scheduled for a four-day jury trial on May 20 before Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden. He is being represented by Lane Wolfley of Port Angeles. Rhodes remains in Clallam County jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.
Maryah R. Faletego, 40, of Fife is scheduled for a four-day jury trial May 20 before Judge Brent Basden. She is being represented by Noah Harrison of Port Townsend. She remains in Clallam County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Corey T. Blake, 37, of Port Hadlock is scheduled for a three- to four-day jury trial on May 28. A judge had yet to be specified by Tuesday. Blake is being represented by Julian E. St. Marie of Port Townsend and remains in the Clallam County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Eloy Estrada-Morales, 44, of Tacoma is scheduled for a five-day jury trial May 28 before Judge Brent Basden. He is being represented by Karen Unger of Port Angeles. He remains in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
All four were charged earlier this month with one count of first-degree burglary-accomplice with special firearm enhancements. It is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine, plus restitution and assessments.
All four also were charged with four counts of first-degree robbery-accomplice with special firearm enhancements. The special enhancement could add up to five years to the sentencing range.
Rhodes also was charged with two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm — conviction of non-serious felony offense or domestic violence crime. It is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine, plus restitution, assessments and court costs.
Faletego also was charged with two counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. It is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine, plus restitution, assessments and court costs.
The case began March 28 when sheriff’s deputies and Sequim police officers responded about 5:15 a.m. to a reported home invasion robbery in the area of Riverside Road.
The reporting party called 9-1-1 and said people wearing face masks and carrying guns had shown up at the house in a white SUV. The suspects attempted to flee in their vehicle but were stopped and arrested.
Sheriff’s deputies and detectives from the Olympic Narcotics Enforcement Team continued investigating the robbery and discovered a fourth suspect was involved. They developed probable cause that Blake directed the three suspects to commit the robbery on his behalf to satisfy an unpaid debt, according to a press release.
