ID thief chooses prison cell over probation period

Herald staff

SEATTLE — A former hospital security supervisor and deputy constable who hid behind the stolen identity of a Seattle man for more than a decade was offered probation in Nevada Friday but opted for prison instead.

William McDonald Walton gave no reason why he preferred a jail cell when questioned by the judge. The judge obliged, sentencing Walton to six years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 12 months.

Walton had lived in Reno since the mid- to late-1980s under the name of Roy M. Vasquez. The real Roy M. Vasquez, an accountant for the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, tracked down his impostor after repeated problems with creditors and the IRS.

Walton pleaded guilty in August to using another person’s identity for an unlawful purpose, obtaining credit, goods or services or something else of value.

  • McCaws contribute to brain research program: A $35.5 million center to study early brain and behavioral development has been created at the University of Washington. Talaris Research Institute, established by telecommunications billionaire Bruce McCaw and his wife Jolene, provided the money for the Center for Mind, Brain and Learning. Talaris and the center will work together to research the ability of babies to learn. A million dollars was provided to launch the center, and the rest will contributed over the next five years. The McCaws contributed $91 million to Talaris. Bruce McCaw was one of the founding directors of the Kirkland-based McCaw Cellular Communications, which was sold to AT&ampT for $11.5 billion in 1994.

  • Liquor ban challenge is tossed out: A federal judge on Friday dismissed Washington state’s challenge of a liquor ban on the Yakama Nation reservation, agreeing with the tribe that the complaint was premature. Enforcement was not to begin until Jan. 4. Ruling in Spokane, U.S. District Judge Robert Whaley granted a motion for dismissal filed last week on behalf of Yakama Nation Chief Tribal Judge Rory Flintknife, one of three defendants named in the state case. Spokesman Gary Larson in the office of state Attorney General Christine Gregoire said Whaley’s action was based on the tribe’s assurances that it did not plan to enforce the ban on nontribal members. "I’d say that’s a heck of a spin to put on it," said Flintknife’s lawyer, Jack Fiander, in a telephone interview from the reservation. But he conceded the tribe does not anticipate such enforcement. The Yakama Tribal Council approved the ban last spring in a bid to fight alcoholism within the tribe.

  • Sewer gas detected at school: Low levels of sewer gas have been found at McKnight Middle School, which has been the subject of many complaints of foul smells, Renton School District Superintendent Dolores Gibbons said. But none of the tests showed a concentration of hydrogen sulfide that exceeded the danger level set by the state, Gibbons said. Students and staff at the school have been complaining about a rotten-egg smell that has been causing headaches and making them nauseous. The smell mostly came from the north pod of the school, which was built four years ago. Workers jackhammered through the floor last weekend and found two bent pipes, which they repaired. But students still complained of the smell this week. The district is now checking a clogged grease trap in the school’s kitchen.

  • Man ordered to pay for animal care: A man has been ordered to pay $43,000 to an animal shelter that is taking care of dozens of dogs and cats seized from his home in May. A judge also banned 63-year-old Dennis Rodney Marsh from having pets for five years while he’s on probation. Marsh pleaded guilty to 10 counts of animal neglect. Authorities found the animals living in filthy conditions at Marsh’s house. Many were soaked in urine and matted with feces, said John Fletcher, the Florence Humane Society’s executive director. The situation has caused a financial crisis for the Humane Society, which estimates the actual cost of taking care of the animals to be nearly $80,000. The number of animals seized from Marsh grew to 87 after several delivered litters while in the shelter. Fletcher said 43 animals remain up for adoption.
    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 one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

    The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

    The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
    Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

    The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

    Lynnwood
    Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

    Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

    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.

    Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

    Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

    Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

    The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

    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.