Arrested, Booked, Right Back Out on the Streets of Our Community
Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives found themselves investigating a well-known address with well-known suspects committing the same crimes. Area residents reported the short-term traffic and disruption to their neighborhood. SVIU Detectives did the investigation and made the arrests, but unfortunately, 3 of the 6 suspects were released on their own recognizance at their first appearance in court and went right back out on our streets. The other 3 were kept in custody due to their Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) holds or additional unrelated charges. These suspects include a 14-time and 11-time convicted felon, felons with Washington State DOC warrants and one suspect with 3 arrests in the last year. So far, Investigators have seized two vehicles, $2,450, Heroin, and approximately ¾ of a pound of Methamphetamine.
Gary B. Olive is an 11-time convicted felon to include charges of Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substances, Possession of Controlled Substances, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Rendering Criminal Assistance. Olive also has 8 misdemeanor convictions (Obstructing, Resisting Arrest, Making False Statements, Theft, Reckless Driving, and other driving violations).
History of Olive’s Residence on N. Farr Road
On March 22, 2018, SVIU Detectives arrested, now 51-year-old, Gary B. Olive for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver-Heroin and 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver-Methamphetamine. At that time, his bond was set at $60,000. Olive pleaded guilty to lesser crimes (conspiracy to deliver) and received a sentence of 56 days.
SVIU initiated a Chronic Nuisance Investigation into Olive and his residence located in the 600 block of N. Farr Rd. in February of 2019, due to ongoing complaints of short term traffic, drug dealing, noise, and junk vehicles by citizens in the neighborhood.
On March 12, 2019, Olive was personally served several Chronic Nuisance Property Notices under Spokane Valley Municipal Code 7.00.050 to cease and desist all criminal activity occurring at the address.
SVIU Detectives continued to conduct surveillance of the residence to identify criminals and crimes occurring there. Investigators confirmed the heavy amount of short-term traffic and drug dealing.
On April 27, 2019, Investigators arrested 14-time convicted felon, 51-year-old John P. Oak for a felony Washington State DOC Escape Community Custody warrant when he left the residence, driving a Dodge truck. Oak was booked on new criminal charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Drive While Suspended 3rd Degree, Obstructing and Reckless Driving at the conclusion of the traffic stop. Oak remains in custody on a DOC hold.
On the morning of April 29, 2019, Investigators arrested 23-year-old Trevor K. Jefferson in relation to the home on N. Farr Rd. for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Heroin. Jefferson was booked into the Spokane County Jail but released the next day on his Own Recognizance (OR) by Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner Steven Grovdahl at first appearance.
SVIU Detectives continued their surveillance throughout the day in an attempt to disrupt the criminal activity occurring at the location. At approximately 4:30 p.m., 51-year-old Gary B. Olive was arrested for four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver-Methamphetamine.
Olive was booked into the Spokane County Jail for four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver-Methamphetamine. Investigators also seized two vehicles and over $2,450 in currency from Olive. The next day at first appearance, Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys argued for a bond on the four-felony, delivery of controlled substance charges; however, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner StevenGrovdahl released Olive on his Own Recognizance (OR).
A search warrant was executed at his residence on N. Farr Rd. and Detectives located and seized heroin, drug paraphernalia, scales, documentation of drug dealing, proceeds from drug dealing and approximately ¾ of a pound of Methamphetamine.
Also contacted at the residence during the execution of the search warrant:
27-year-old Jessica L. Burnett: Burnett initially gave a false name, but upon learning her true identity, Investigators arrested her for a felony Washington State DOC warrant for Theft 2nd Degree. She was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Heroin and Providing False Information. Burnett was booked into the Spokane County Jail where she remains on a Washington DOC hold.
28-year-old Ashley A. Mahome: Mahome was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine and booked into the Spokane County Jail. Mahome was released on her Own Recognizance (OR) following her first appearance in front of Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner Steven Grovdahl the next day.
Numerous investigation related vehicles drove through the area during the execution of the search warrant with one stopping. Detectives recognized the passenger of the vehicle, 27-year-old Christopher L. Dahlman and he was arrested for a felony Washington State DOC warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Dahlman was booked into the Spokane County Jail and remains in custody on a Washington State DOC hold.
NOTE: Olive, Oak and Mahome were 3 of 5 subjects arrested in March 2018 from that Search Warrant at the exact location
SVIU Investigators appreciates the cooperation and diligence of the neighborhood in reporting suspicious activity to Crime Check. The information you provided was instrumental in identifying wanted fugitives frequenting the area and specifically this problem house. During this lengthy investigation, SVIU Detectives and Spokane Valley Deputies worked an extensive amount of hours of surveillance and patrol work to disrupt the criminal activity of these suspects which ultimately led to their arrests.
Please do not be discouraged by this outcome knowing some of the very same suspects, including the landlord Gary B. Olive, spent one day in jail after being charged with felony, and in some cases, multiple felony crimes. Your frustration is understandable, but we need your help and continued support to not only address the crimes occurring at the residence but in other areas of Spokane Valley and Spokane County.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are expected.
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Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer