Jungle assault and Olympia apartment fire suspect held on $1 million bail
A 38-year-old man accused of assaulting a person in the Jungle encampment in Olympia and later setting an apartment unit on fire is being held in the Thurston County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Olympia police arrested Joe V. Johnson at an apartment building in the 600 block of Devoe Street Southeast in Olympia on July 10.
Johnson’s arrest followed a standoff with the Thurston County SWAT team, which used chainsaws and a K9 to apprehend him, The Olympian previously reported. Medics reportedly sedated Johnson and transported him to an area hospital. On Tuesday, officers booked Johnson into the county jail on suspicion of first-degree arson and second-degree assault. The next day, Johnson appeared in Thurston County Superior Court via video feed.
Judge Allyson Zipp found probable cause for the alleged crimes and set the bail amount Wednesday. She also barred Johnson from contacting the person he allegedly assaulted or visiting the apartment building.
“I’m finding that conditions are necessary to reasonably assure your presence in court when required,” Zipp said. “I’m finding that there is a likely danger that without conditions, you would potentially seek to intimidate a witness or violate orders or conditions on release put in place for the protection and safety of alleged victims and the community. And I’m also finding that there is a likely danger of a future violent crime.”
Johnson has not yet been charged. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until 5 p.m. July 17 to file charges or else the court-ordered conditions of release will expire.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Wayne Graham asked the court to set bail at $1 million, citing the severity of the alleged crimes.
“This is an individual that violently attacked a person in one of our houseless camps, striking her with a full-size propane tank, causing injuries to the individual that the officer was amazed this person was even walking around,” Graham said.
Regarding the alleged standoff, the SWAT team observed flames inside the apartment and authorities had the entire apartment building evacuated, Graham said.
Ahmed Jenkins, a public defense attorney, said the probable cause statement did not provide enough detail to justify probable cause for the first-degree arson allegation. He also objected to a high bail amount or a no-bail hold.
“The court should take into consideration his ability to post bail,” Jenkins said. “… He could not anywhere near afford $1 million.”
However, Jenkins acknowledged that the bail amount is a moot point because Johnson is wanted by the Washington State Department of Corrections and is expected to go back to prison.
Johnson has a criminal history that dates back to 2006, most of which occurred in Western Washington, according to court records.
His history includes convictions for domestic violence assault, violating no-contact orders, possessing controlled substances and burglarizing a motor vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
