Unzipped assailant gets four years

By SCOTT NORTH

Herald Writer

A Spokane man with a history of rape and robbery was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday for forcing his way into an Everett woman’s apartment with his pants unzipped.

Vincent Wayne Falla, 40, apologized for the April 29 break-in and said he hadn’t intended to hurt anyone.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman said the crime was an "extremely serious incident" and sentenced Falla to double the top punishment outlined under state sentencing guidelines.

Falla had spoken to the woman, 25, a few minutes before the incident while she was at her mailbox. The woman told police she went upstairs to her apartment, expecting that the next knock at the door would be her father, who had planned to take her to dinner. Instead, when she opened the door, Falla was there, and he pushed his way inside and locked the door, according to court papers.

The woman struggled with Falla, who left the apartment when the woman’s father arrived. The man captured Falla and held him until police arrived.

The woman’s father spoke Thursday in court, saying his daughter has been traumatized by the incident. He urged McKeeman to send Falla away for as long as possible.

"Something has to be done to protect my daughter and other people like her," he said.

Falla had pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree burglary, but withdrew the plea last week because he had not previously been advised that the conviction would have sent him to prison for life under the state’s three-strikes law.

Instead, Falla entered a so-called Alford plea to residential burglary, in which he said he didn’t believe he’d committed the offense but acknowledged that he likely would have been convicted if the case went before a jury. The residential burglary conviction does not count as a "strike" under the state’s persistent offender law.

Falla’s attorney, public defender Natalie Tarrantino, said the crime occurred on a day when Falla had begun using drugs and alcohol after a period of treatment and sobriety, and that he became suddenly paranoid and forced his way into the apartment looking for a place to hide from police.

At the time of his arrest, Falla was wanted on two warrants, including one for failing to register as a sex offender. He has convictions for robbery (1979), escape (1982), rape (1988) and harassment (1995).

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431or send e-mail to

north@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

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

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.