Superior Criminal Court June 5, 2026: Receiving Help
The court can make room for leniency but always requires accountability.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — The arc of a case depends on the system flow, attorney competency, and largely, defendant compliance. Two cases in criminal court on June 5 reached sentencing outside of trial, a common conclusion, while three others battle addiction and rearrest.
On May 18, Jerry Simants was charged with two counts of forgery on 40 hours of community service on a prior conviction. Simants was assigned Lillian Powers as his attorney during his preliminary appearance. His arraignment will be June 12.
Updates:
Robert Cuevas waived his speedy trial rights to set a change of plea hearing for next week, as parties have reached an agreement.
Soaring Whiteraven Eagle is in custody in Pierce County, but has been in communication with his Jefferson County defense attorney’s office. A warrant of $10,000 was issued by Judge Brandon Mack in case he is released from Tacoma, to ensure he will be extradited to Jefferson County.
Heather Woodley admitted that she violated her deferred sentence by not getting treatment until the end of her two year deferral. Instead of revoking the sentence and sending her to jail for 30 days, Judge Mack reserved a judgment of sentence for June 26 so Woodley can complete her treatment at Jamestown Healing. He requested monthly check-ins and encouraged Woodley saying, “You can do this.” She responded, “It feels like a real turning point for me.”
After negotiations between parties, Steve Redhead pleaded guilty to second degree malicious mischief, for a forced entry into Station 41 fire station located at 272 Schoolhouse Road in Brinnon Washington. “I asked for help. The police came but they didn’t help. The fire station didn’t open their doors when I asked for help. I should not have broken the window, I know that. I needed help.”
This is Redhead's first felony. He will have two days credit served jail time, and was given three months to pay off his $500 restitution. It was upsetting to Redhead that he will have restrictions on owning a firearm for five years. The agreement also imposed restrictions on his going to the firehouse for two years, Judge Mack suggested that it is appropriate for Redhead to go to the station in a case of emergency.
Camille Ehn entered an Alford Plea to third degree assault, formally admitting she would likely be found guilty by a jury, while simultaneously maintaining her innocence. As a first-time offender, the court waives the standard-range sentence for a first felony offense. A second charge, assault in the fourth degree, resisting arrest, and obstructing a law enforcement officer, were all dismissed. She has credit for her day served in jail with no more time to serve, and she is not being held responsible for damages or legal fees.
The low sentence is in part because the victim, a State Patrol Officer, didn’t push for harsher sentencing due to the circumstances the assault was committed in. The officer had been advised about a “rolling domestic in progress”, where a domestic dispute takes place inside a moving vehicle. Ehn was driving and had a bloody lip when the officer pulled her over. When the officer asked her to get out, she assaulted the officer. The passenger got out of the car and violently assaulted the officer, he was also charged.
In a few years, Ehn will be eligible to vacate the felony conviction, allowing the court to withdraw her guilty plea and dismiss the case, clearing her record. Until then it will show up when potential employers or landlords search for it, and she won’t be allowed her full civil rights to participate in things such as jury duty.
