PORT ANGELES — Kenneth Francis Simmons’ freedom was short-lived, the erasure of his $250,000 bail a footnote.
Immediately after Superior Court Judge Brent Basden released the alleged methamphetamine dealer Wednesday from conditions of his arrest on six drug and weapons offenses, Simmons was held anew in the Clallam County jail without any bail pending his transfer to Seattle to face federal charges.
Basden released Simmons following assurances from county Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols that the U.S. Attorney’s Office knew of Simmons’ release.
“Following on discussions we have had with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will not be pursuing this matter in this venue,” Nichols told Basden, calling the move part of a “coordinated effort” with the federal agency.
“So they know I’m signing an order that allows him to walk out the door,” Basden said.
Simmons, previously convicted of drug offenses and five DUIs, was bewildered when Basden told him he was being released.
“I don’t understand, I don’t understand,” Simmons said.
Charges expected
The U.S. District Court warrant under which Simmons was being held contained a federal complaint listing four federal offenses: felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Federal charges are anticipated against the 55-year-old unemployed Sequim resident.
Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin said at his first court appearance Monday that he was a flight risk given the potential for federal charges.
She successfully argued for the $250,000 bail against Simmons, described by authorities as a significant drug dealer in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
He was allegedly driving 17 miles over the speed limit late Friday evening on Old Olympic Highway when a deputy pulled over his Toyota Tacoma pickup.
Driving without insurance and while his license was suspended, Simmons also had 3 ounces of methamphetamine in his vehicle along with a digital scale and a 9 mm handgun that was illegal for him to possess, according to the probable cause statement.
The target of an ongoing investigation by the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, Simmons had sold a quarter-pound of meth to authorities as part of an undercover operation before the traffic stop, Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said in an earlier interview.
U.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Emily Langlie said Wednesday in a text message that her office placed a federal hold on Simmons with a no-bail warrant pending his transport to Seattle by federal authorities.
She said he will appear in federal court this afternoon or Friday.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
