Escaped inmate arrested in Arizona

SPOKANE — An inmate who took advantage of a Bible study and counseling session to escape from custody in Spokane County has been caught in Arizona with his girlfriend and some packaged marijuana, authorities said.

Roger H. Nordling, 54, and Deborah E. Barden, 39, were arrested Thursday morning after a Highway Patrol officer checked the license plate of Barden’s 1991 Mercury Topaz on U.S. Highway 60 northeast of Phoenix, Harold Sanders of the Arizona Department of Public Safety told the Spokesman-Review.

They apparently had been in Las Vegas before being caught, Sanders said.

Besides being named in warrants from Washington state; Nordling on an accusation of second-degree escape and Barden on an accusation of conspiracy to commit first-degree escape; both were jailed on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and transporting marijuana for sale, Sanders said.

“They had a number of baggies with marijuana seeds bagged up for sale,” he said.

Nordling also was charged with hindering prosecution, providing false information and identity theft after he gave someone else’s information to the arresting officer, Sanders said. Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said the charge against Nordling in Spokane will likely be changed to first-degree escape.

Nordling vanished from the Geiger Corrections Center on Sept. 27 by asking to get some fresh air during a counseling session, after which he clambered onto a rooftop and hopped a fence, Reagan said. Sanders said Nordling’s Geiger jumpsuit and flip-flops were found in the car.

Another Geiger inmate, Anthony I. Dieterle, is believed to have helped Nordling get onto the roof and may be charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree escape, he added.

Nordling was in Geiger after being accused of drawing a pistol and fleeing when a bail bond employee tried to apprehend him, and Reagan said he tried to draw a gun the next month when he was caught in Idaho by the Eastern Washington Joint Fugitive Task Force.

He is charged in that case with second-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of controlled substance, and the U.S. Marshals Service has a hold on him involving a federal firearms violation in Idaho.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

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.