Courts Crime

A Vancouver man pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax fraud in U. S. District Court in Tacoma, underscoring ongoing financial crime issues in the region. Family members have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Clark County following the tragic murders of a mother and daughter by the mother's former boyfriend, raising questions about safety and domestic violence. Meanwhile, a judge denied a request from former attorney Josephine Townsend to be excused from serving a 10-day jail sentence after a medical emergency prevented her from reporting to jail.

In another case, a Bellingham man will be retried for second-degree murder concerning a fatal crash involving an RV in east Vancouver. Additionally, a teen involved in a February 2024 shooting at an east Vancouver apartment complex was sentenced to 20 days of community service. Reports of two women feeling unsafe or being sexually assaulted on the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail further highlight concerns about public safety. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of criminal activity and legal challenges facing the Vancouver community.