PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office has upgraded the assault charge against Ha-Qwenith Zachary Grinnell, a Sequim man accused of assaulting two Clallam County sheriff’s deputies during a March 14 domestic-violence call.
The charge was changed from third degree to second degree March 18 after it was discovered that one of the deputies suffered a concussion and loss of memory.
“Enough time had passed that they were able to make a better determination of the injuries,” said John Troberg, Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney.
Troberg said he increased the charge “based on the severity of the injuries to the officer.”
Grinnell is being held on $50,000 bail at the Clallam County jail. He will be arraigned in Clallam County Superior Court today at 1:30 p.m.
Deputies Michael Dick and Todd Yarnes were treated at Olympic Medical Center after the altercation. Yarnes suffered the concussion.
Grinnell is also charged with felony harassment. According to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office report, Grinnell threatened to kill his mother.
Assaulted deputies
Court documents said Grinnell assaulted the deputies when they tried to detain him at a Sequim-area residence.
Grinnell allegedly punched Yarnes in the face twice, knocking him down, then hit the lawman twice more and kicked him twice in the head while he was on the ground.
Dick struck Grinnell, then fell to the ground in the ensuing struggle, court documents said.
Both deputies deployed their stun guns, which were unsuccessful in controlling Grinnell, they said. The deputies then pepper-sprayed him and put him in handcuffs, court documents said.
Grinnell was a standout linebacker for the Sequim High School football team.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
