MOUNT VERNON — Skagit County Superior Court Judge John M. Meyer has decided that repeat sex offender Michael Bargas remains a dangerous predator and must continue to be confined in the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. 

On Dec. 9 and 10, Meyer heard evidence and arguments regarding Bargas’ petition for release to a less restrictive alternative. In the interest of public safety, prosecutors from Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit fought to prevent Bargas’ release into the community. 

KELSO — The Attorney General’s Office has filed a petition in Cowlitz County Superior Court seeking to civilly commit a violent sex offender and prevent his release into the community. 

James Wynn, 53, was convicted of four sexually violent offenses in 1991: Two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree kidnapping. He was sentenced to 344 months in prison.

SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today offered the following statement in response to the announcement that Oklahoma and Nebraska have sued Colorado in the United States Supreme Court over marijuana legalization. Nebraska and Oklahoma allege that Colorado’s Amendment 64 and its implementing legislation regarding recreational marijuana is unconstitutional and preempted by federal law.

OLYMPIA — Benton County Superior Court Judge Alex Ekstrom heard arguments today on two more summary judgment motions filed in the Attorney General’s Office’s consumer protection case against Arlene’s Flowers, a Richland florist, and its owner and operator, Barronelle Stutzman. 

In April 2013, the Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Arlene’s Flowers and Stutzman after she refused to provide flowers to customer Robert Ingersoll for his wedding to his husband, Curt Freed.     

SPOKANE — A Spokane County jury today convicted Michael Phillips of first degree rape. Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit won the conviction in a trial that began on Dec. 15.

Phillips, 33, sexually assaulted a Spokane woman in May 2008.  He forced her to engage in sexual intercourse by threatening her with what appeared to be a gun. Police who arrested Phillips after the assault found a BB gun in his jacket and noted that it looked like a real gun.

SPOKANE — The Attorney General’s Office has reached a plea agreement with a former Spokane deputy prosecutor who helped a man avoid arrest earlier this year.

Marriya Wright today pleaded guilty to and was sentenced for second-degree rendering criminal assistance, a gross misdemeanor. 

“Prosecutors are held to a high standard in upholding the law, and Ms. Wright’s actions fell short of that,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “I’m pleased my office secured a result that will hold her accountable.”

SPOKANE — The Attorney General’s Office filed charges today against a 76-year-old Spokane man accused of rape.

Robert Caruso is charged in Spokane County Superior Court with second-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment. The court issued a warrant for his arrest. 

MONTESANO — Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a petition in Grays Harbor County Superior Court seeking to civilly commit an Aberdeen-area sex offender and prevent his release into the community.

Patrick Truxillo, 47, was convicted of first-degree rape and first-degree burglary in 2002 and sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison.