Trial dates set in Sequim home invasion case

Sheriff’s office says actions tied to drug trafficking

PORT ANGELES — 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.

________

Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Crime

John Barcellos, 61, left, next to his defense attorney John Hayden, was sentenced to 77 months in prison on Nov. 18 in Clallam County Superior Court for threatening to kill four children and attempting to elude law enforcement more than two years ago in a Sequim church parking lot. (Clallam County)
Sequim man gets 6 1/2 years in prison

Judge denies mental health sentence alternative

Man pleads guilty to assaulting state trooper

A 29-year-old man pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and… Continue reading

Man investigated for shooting from bridge held on $350K bail

A Port Angeles man who allegedly fired a weapon… Continue reading

Man sentenced after fourth-degree assault conviction

A 61-year-old man was convicted of fourth-degree assault following… Continue reading

Man to serve two years for courthouse burglary

A 39-year-old man was convicted of multiple crimes and… Continue reading

Deputies: Barricaded man dies by suicide

Negotiators work for nearly two hours for peaceful resolution

Police: Person of interest in custody following reports of shooting

School district says situation contained, operations will continue

Suspects in murder cases get hearings

Update on four defendants headed to trial

Port Angeles man is dead following shooting

Police: Officers attempted non-lethal force

Port Townsend woman found guilty of first-degree assault

Young attacked husband with blunt end of hatchet, according to court documents

Marysville man sentenced to 13 months for sex crimes

A 64-year-old Marysville man has been sentenced to 13… Continue reading

Police: Wanted man shot in pursuit

State agency to conduct independent investigation