Wahkiakum Superior Court

The trial of Altoona resident Sam Valdez is scheduled to begin in Wahkiakum County Superior Court on February 16.

On December 21, 2015, a fourth charge, arson in the first degree, was added to Valdez’s existing counts of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, delivery of marijuana and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver marijuana.

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force had been investigating Valdez for manufacturing hash oil last year 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.

The new charge alleges that Valdez knowingly caused a fire or explosion that damaged an occupied Altoona home in July of 2014.

Valdez remains in custody.