KELSO — A Cowlitz County jury today denied the release of a sexually violent predator after a prosecutor from the Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit proved that he remains mentally ill and sexually dangerous.

Joel Reimer, 47, was convicted of two sexually violent offenses in Cowlitz County in 1985: first-degree rape and second-degree assault.

Convicted rapist Paul Harell had sought unconditional release

COUPVILLE — An Island County jury on Thursday decided not to release a sexually violent predator after prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office proved that he remains both mentally ill and a danger to the community.

Paul Harell, 44, was convicted in 1994 of first-degree rape and two counts of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion in Island County.

Defendants will pay $115,000 in restitution over improper renovations

SPOKANE — Two individuals and a corporation pled guilty today in Spokane County Superior Court to multiple violations of the Washington Clean Air Act. Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed the criminal charges in May, over the defendants’ illegal handling of hazardous asbestos.

NOTE:  The Attorney General’s Office’s policy is not to comment on ongoing, non-public investigations, including confirming whether a particular matter is under investigation.  Because WAFLA challenged our CID in a public court filing, the AGO can confirm it is investigating the group for possible antitrust violations relating to wages for temporary agricultural workers under the H-2A program.

LONGVIEW — Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit (SVP) are in Cowlitz County, fighting to prevent a dangerous sex offender from being unconditionally released into the community. 

Joel Reimer, 47, has been convicted of two sexually violent offenses. In 1985 Reimer committed first-degree rape and second-degree assault and was convicted of those crimes in Cowlitz County.

Charles Urlacher, civilly committed since 2011, to remain in SCC

TACOMA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office prevailed at trial late Thursday, when a Pierce County jury refused to release sexually violent predator Charles Urlacher from the state’s Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil Island.

Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit have been fighting since December of last year to prevent Urlacher’s conditional release, arguing that he was a danger to the community.

Attached is the court’s final order on the Motion for Sanctions in the Oso litigation.  This concludes the state’s involvement in the matter.

Company used thousands of deceptive ads to mislead consumers

SEATTLE — The makers of 5-hour ENERGY® violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act by making claims in thousands of ads that were not backed by scientific evidence, according to a ruling filed in King County Superior Court today.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson released the following statement on the resolution of the Oso landslide litigation:

"The Oso landslide represents one of the most tragic events in state history, and the sympathies of Washingtonians remain with those who lost so much.

"Today’s settlement of the legal chapter of this tragedy represents a fair resolution for all parties."

Charles Urlacher civilly committed since 2011

TACOMA — Prosecutors with the Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit seek to prevent a sex offender from being released into the community in a Pierce County Superior Court trial.

Charles Urlacher, 63, was convicted of first- and second-degree rape of a child in 2000. He was civilly committed to the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island in 2011 after a Pierce County jury found him to be a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP).