Olympia files charges against 3 from November port protests

The Olympian | • Published May 15, 2008

The city of Olympia prosecutor's office has filed criminal charges against three people for their alleged actions during the November 2007 demonstrations against the transport of military equipment from the Port of Olympia, a city news release said today.

Shyam P. Khanna, Kathleen K. Hutchison and Patricia O. Hutchison have each been charged with obstructing an officer. Khanna faces an additional charge of resisting arrest.

Both types of offenses are misdemeanor crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The city attorney's office has added more staffing to help review the investigation by the Olympia police department of the events that took place between Nov. 7, 2007 and Nov. 17, 2007. The Thurston County prosecutor's office is providing additional assistance by taking the investigative materials concerning arrests made on the night of Nov. 13, 2007. Olympia police arrested 42 people that evening.

Charging decisions concerning other arrests from the November protests will be made on an ongoing basis and within the one year statute of limitations.