Snohomish-area sex offender held for alleged assault

SNOHOMISH — The allegations, 15 years apart, had some striking similarities.

In the late 1990s, Sean C. Wood was convicted of assaulting a woman and holding her against her will.

Now the Snohomish-area man is being held on $500,000 bail after allegedly assaulting and terrorizing another woman.

In both instances, Wood accused the women of being unfaithful and he allegedly beat them, spit on them and threatened to kill them.

In each case, the women managed to escape and run for help.

Wood, 35, a convicted sex offender, was arrested Saturday for investigation of assault, harassment, unlawful imprisonment and violating a court order to have no contact with the woman. No charges have been filed.

Wood and the woman have had a troubled relationship. He was arrested for investigation of domestic violence assault in December, according to court records.

Despite the no-contact order, the woman told deputies she continued to live with Wood until she could move her belongings.

On Saturday, Wood allegedly confronted her about dating another man and then spit on her, slapped her face and punched her legs and arms. He allegedly choked her and said, “I’m going to do you and the rest of the world a favor and end it for you now.”

The woman eventually was able to send out a short text message to her dad. She asked him to send police to the home.

Wood met the Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy at the front door and denied that the woman was there, court papers said.

Just as he was closing the door, the woman ran out from the side of the house toward another deputy.

She had bruises on her face, according to police reports.

She told deputies that Wood had ordered her to stay silent and hide in a closet.

In 1998, Wood was convicted of assault and kidnapping with sexual motivation after holding his then-girlfriend captive.

He accused her of having a relationship with another man, then drove her to a secluded cabin, slapped her in the face and hit her with a belt. He also tore off her clothes and burned them, court papers said.

He put her in a scalding hot shower and later forced her to have sex.

Hours after the ordeal started, Wood passed out from drinking. The woman ran to a neighbor’s house and called police.

He was sentenced to prison.

In 2007, Wood was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender.

In Everett District Court on Tuesday, defense attorney Mark Mestel asked for a lower bail. He said the woman had recanted a complaint that led to a previous no-contact order.

Deputy prosecutor Chris Sedgewick argued that the half-million-dollar bail should remain in place.

“He has significant violent history,” he said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.