Debbie Requa, 60, is set to be arraigned Jan. 2. She is the judicial assistant for Superior Court judges Lisa Sutton and James Dixon. A special prosecuting attorney in Lewis County has been appointed to prosecute Requa’s case because of the potential conflict of interest here.
Requa is on paid leave, Superior Court Administrator Marti Maxwell said Wednesday. Requa’s attorney, Saxon Rodgers, could not be reached for comment. Requa is not in custody.
According to court papers:
The investigation of Requa began Nov. 24, after a deputy received an anonymous tip about drug activity at a home in the 3500 block of Long Lake Drive. A deputy went to the home that day and smelled the odor of marijuana coming from her house. Requa initially “denied that she was manufacturing, selling or even using illegal drugs.”
She later told the deputy she and her visiting sister had been smoking marijuana in the home before the deputy’s arrival. Requa said she had an amount of marijuana “the size of her thumbnail” and that she did not have a medicinal authorization.
While inspecting Requa’s home, the deputy noticed two marijuana plants near the back sliding doors. Requa said she had no idea they were there. She later said a male friend offered to pay her $500 a month to use her garage for growing marijuana, and that there were about 20 plants in the home. She said the man had a medicinal marijuana authorization, but the deputy determined he did not.
The deputy obtained a search warrant and seized 26 plants.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465
jpawloski@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/thisjustin
@JeremyPawloski
