Sheriff promotes incompetence

While reporting on the recent East Lewis County murder of Aron Christensen, it came to the Lewis County News' attention that the Sergeant in charge of the murder investigation, Jeffery Humphrey has an employment history raising competence issues.

In 2012, Detective Humphrey was involved in a major cartel drug distribution investigation while intimately involved with one of the suspects, Maggie Mahoric (aka. Maggie Engel). The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) in Tacoma declined to prosecute the case due in part to Humphrey's "intimate relationship" with Mahoric. The reason for not prosecuting was: "At the end of the conversation, the USAO declined to prosecute due to the inappropriate actions by the Lewis County Detective and the lack of supervision by their then sergeant (now Sheriff Rob Snaza) leaving the investigation in limbo."

In July 2013, the following record appears: "At the DEA's request, Detective Humphrey was told to cease all communication and contact with the female suspect based on her direct involvement in criminal activities. Sergeant Rob Snaza, was advised of the situation." It was discovered that while Mahoric was in a Pierce County jail, she contacted Detective Humphrey asking him to pay for one or two motel rooms where her belongings and those of another suspect had been left.

The record does not state whether Humphrey paid the rent but does go on to say: "It was undetermined by investigators whether Detective Humphrey paid for the room or not, but the suspects were able to recover their property from the motel." After federal prosecution was declined, it appears that the prime cartel suspect, Venegas-Gatica, continued to sell drugs in and out of Washington state for another ten years until he was caught in 2022. There was no discipline of Humphrey by his supervisor, Sergeant Snaza.

In 2013, Detective Humphrey was charged and convicted of driving under the influence. According to the report Detective Humphrey drove through a collision investigation while heavily intoxicated. There was a DOT truck with flashing lights with the words "ramp closed" and "use alternate route", which Humphrey bypassed.

After conviction, Detective Humphrey was demoted by Sheriff Mansfield and given a "last chance" notice which stated that after one more issue he would be fired. After Sheriff Snaza was elected, Humphrey was promoted to Detective.

In 2019, Detective Humphrey's performance was criticized again, this time for incompetence during a murder investigation. The report reads: "It was found only six photographs had been taken by you, and none of the photographs appeared to include the firearm believed to be involved." The report states Humphrey violated policies, including competent performance. Although Detective Humphrey did not properly process the murder investigation, he was later promoted by Sheriff Snaza to Acting Sergeant.

In 2021, then Acting Sergeant Humphrey did not properly supervise investigation of a serious assault incident. A review of Humphrey's actions states: "I think a more appropriate policy which does apply to Acting Sergeant Humphrey's actions and communications with the deputies would be Policy 320.10. Standard of Conduct - Competence Performance." He was the supervisor in charge and he did not direct his deputies to process the scene. Humphrey was promoted to Sergeant by Sheriff Snaza in early 2022.

In August 2022, Humphrey was the sergeant in charge of the Aron Christensen East Lewis County murder investigation. Sergeant Humphrey determined that the death was not caused by a gunshot wound. After public outcry by the victim's family questioning the investigation, the case has been forwarded to the Lewis County Prosecutor.

Sergeant Humphry's most recent incident occurred in October 2022, when he approved a pursuit involving several other deputies. A report of that incident states that Humphrey violated "Lewis County Sheriff's Office Policies, 307.3.1 when to initiate a pursuit (RCW 10.116.060)."

Humphrey's record as a deputy leaves unclear why, after receiving a "last chance" notice from Sheriff Mansfield, Humphrey has been repeatedly promoted by Sheriff Snaza.

It is important to note that Sergeant Humphrey was put on the Brady List in October and is one of seven Lewis County Sheriff deputies and officers on a "Brady List." The Brady list is defined as: "A list compiled usually by the prosecutor's office or a police department containing the names and details of law enforcement officers who have had sustained incidents of untruthfulness, criminal convictions, candor issues or some other type of issue placing their credibility into question." For comparison, the Thurston County Sheriff has only one Brady List employee.