Ephrata teen pleads guilty

EPHRATA - An Ephrata teen with a criminal history pled guilty recently to third-degree assault in Grant County Superior Court.

Thomas M. Henderson, 18, was sentenced to one year in Grant County Jail.

The 18-year-old has a previous felony conviction of first-degree attempted unlawful possession of a firearm.

Moses Lake police responded to a disturbance at Safeway involving three males on in November. Police were reportedly advised that two of the men had placed the other in handcuffs.

According to witnesses, the three men were fighting outside of Fashion Bug next to Safeway on Pioneer Way.

The men were later identified as Henderson, a Phoenix security guard and Safeway security staff.

According to the police report, the Phoenix security guard reportedly followed Henderson throughout the store and advised Safeway security that he may attempt to steal a cart full of groceries.

As Henderson was allegedly trying to leave the store, security identified themselves and Henderson reportedly tried to flee, according to court documents.

According to statements by the security guards, Henderson struggled and swung his elbows allegedly hitting one of the Phoenix security guard in the face.

The Safeway security staff member reportedly suffered a large scrape on the left side of his face from the struggle and indicated he wanted to press charges.

When officers contacted Henderson inside Safeway he was reportedly belligerent and trying to start a fight with the security guard while handcuffed.

Henderson reportedly claimed that security had attacked and molested him during their search.

He was arrested and booked into Grant County Jail.

The amount Henderson tried to allegedly steal was $206.03 worth of groceries.