Altoona man held on $10 million bail

On Monday at a preliminary hearing in Wahkiakum Superior Court, Judge Gary Bashor set bail at $10 million for Altoona-Pillar Rock Road resident Sam Valdez.

Last Friday, Valdez was arrested by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force (CWNTF), the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office and the Longview Street Crimes Unit on charges of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver.

Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow requested the high bail after listing some of Valdez’s assets, which include a sailboat, real estate, and 41 Krugerrands, estimated to be worth more than $50,000.

“Valdez has the means to come up with the money for the bail if it’s set at $1,000,000 and then take off in his boat,” Bigelow argued. Bigelow mentioned his vengefulness and said that Valdez’s ex-wife was terrified.

The CWNTF had been investigating Valdez for manufacturing hash oil when an informant told officers that Valdez was plotting to hire someone to murder his ex-wife. The informant also said that Valdez had a hit list that included Superior Court Judge Michael Sullivan and District Court Judge Bill Faubion.

During the execution of the search warrant at the Valdez residence, officers discovered 17.6 pounds of THC extract worth an estimated street value of $140,000, a half pound of green unprocessed marijuana, eight firearms, 30 seal bomb explosives and 1000 rounds of ammunition.

Valdez is also under investigation for arson which occurred July 9, 2014 on Altoona Pillar Rock Road.

“We brought in the task force because this was too big for us,” Sheriff Mark Howie said.

According to the probable cause statement, Valdez admitted to a confidential informant (CI) that he had committed arson at the residence of one of his neighbors, and provided details for how it was done.

The CI was provided with a court-authorized recording device. Valdez was on record telling the CI that he had a list of people that he wanted killed. The CI and Valdez agreed on a price for the CI’s “uncle” to kill Valdez’s ex-wife.

Valdez later approached the CI about a “package deal,” requesting that both of his ex-wife’s children be killed, in order to “send a message.”

The CI was again provided with a recording device for the next meeting. Valdez mentioned Judge Sullivan saying, “I go before him in about six to eight months. I don’t want to see that [expletive] face again.” Valdez discussed his list and described how he would like the murders committed, including disfiguration with acid and dismemberment.

In late June, outfitted with a recording device, the CI met with Valdez. Valdez provided the CI with photographs of his ex-wife and her address. He also gave the CI a jar of marijuana butane hash oil as payment for the CI’s “uncle” to travel to Washington to commit the murder.

Valdez, who was not represented by an attorney on Monday, will be in court again next Monday at 2 p.m. for his arraignment.