EVERETT — A Snohomish County judge sentenced a woman to 14 months in prison for hitting an Everett police officer twice with her car earlier this year.
Court records show that Vanessa Cuevas lashes out when she’s cornered. At Tuesday’s hearing, she also was sentenced for assaulting a Walmart loss prevention officer who tried to detain her for shoplifting make-up and a nail kit in 2015.
The judge agreed to allow the defendant to serve the sentences for the two convictions at the same time. Superior Court Judge Joseph Wilson ordered Cuevas, 28, to undergo an evaluation for drug addiction. In both incidents Cuevas was suspected of using drugs or being in possession of narcotics.
Her drug use caught Everett police officer Mark Smith’s attention Feb. 28.
Smith was investigating a trespassing complaint on Broadway when he spotted Cuevas in the driver’s seat of a Pontiac. She appeared to be heating a glass pipe with a lighter. Smith also saw a syringe and a piece of foil on the woman’s lap. The officer believed that Cuevas was in the process of using drugs, according to court documents.
She hadn’t noticed him so Smith started to record Cuevas with his camera. His position was given away when he radioed another officer to respond. Cuevas started stuffing the drug paraphernalia in her purse.
Smith ordered Cuevas to get out of the car. She continued to stash the items in her purse. Smith tried to open the driver’s door but Cuevas had locked the vehicle. She started it up, ignoring the officer’s repeated commands.
Smith moved behind the Pontiac to keep Cuevas from leaving but she backed into him and then pulled forward.
The officer called for more assistance. Cuevas put the car in reverse again.
“Fearing for his safety, Officer Smith pulled out his firearm and ordered Cuevas to stop and exit the car,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Jarett Goodkin wrote.
The officer moved away from the Pontiac. That’s when Cuevas backed up so the front of her car was pointed at Smith.
The officer aimed his gun at Cuevas. As he tried to sidestep to the right, Cuevas punched the accelerator and struck Smith, knocking him to the ground. She fled the scene.
Smith was taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Another officer watched the video Smith had taken and immediately recognized Cuevas. Chelan County sheriff’s deputies arrested her two days later in Wenatchee where she was staying with a relative.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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