New charge ups $2.5 million bail

By Cathy Logg

Herald Writer

EVERETT — The Arlington man accused of trying to hire someone to kill his former wife and her family is facing new, unrelated charges that he broke into an Arlington home and wrote harassing messages in black marker.

Mitchell Lee Varnell, 40, remained in lockup Wednesday under $2.5 million bail on the solicitation for murder charges, and $50,000 cash bail set by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge James Allendoerfer on the burglary charge.

He pleaded innocent Wednesday to all charges.

Varnell was first charged Tuesday with trying to hire a man to kill his former wife, her parents and brother. Prosecutors say Varnell’s ex-wife learned of his intentions and notified police, and Varnell unknowingly met with a plainclothes sheriff’s detective posing as a hit man.

Deputy prosecutor Mark Roe asked the court to maintain the high bail set earlier this week. He said he doesn’t want to see Varnell manage to post bail.

"Our understanding is the defendant has quite a bit of cash. I think it he gets out, people are at risk. I think he’s serious," Roe said after the hearing.

The burglary charge accuses Varnell of breaking into an Arlington couple’s home on Dec. 1 and writing harassing messages with a large black marker.

According to an affidavit filed with the charge, a message on the refrigerator read, "Don’t want anymore problems, do we?" Another on the kitchen table referred to the woman of the house looking pretty in bed, and suggested that the next time she’d be gagged and sexually assaulted.

Varnell had been involved in a legal dispute over money with the woman’s husband, deputy prosecutor John Adcock said. The man had received numerous angry faxes from Varnell.

Varnell’s ex-wife identified the writing as Varnell’s and told police he had done similar things in the past and had told her that people who owed him money deserved that kind of justice.

The affidavit also detailed an instance in May 1999 in which Varnell allegedly took out his anger over a falling out with his foreman by damaging the man’s Ford pickup by slashing all four tires, cutting wires under the hood into small sections, punching the radiator, cutting the brake lines, crushing the distributor cap, removing the fan belt and draining the oil.

You can call Herald Writer Cathy Logg at 425-339-3437

or send e-mail to logg@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

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.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

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.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

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.