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

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.

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.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.