19 felons arrested in Grant, Adams counties

GRANT COUNTY - Nineteen wanted felons in Grant and Adams counties were recently rounded up in U.S. Marshals Task Force Operation, according to information released Wednesday by the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

"Operation Short Stop," conducted March 19 and 20 by the Marshals Pacific Northwest Violence Offender Task Force, focused on capturing sex offenders and violent predators, as well as those with state Department of Corrections warrants. In all, there were 19 total felony arrests, 16 of which were arrested on DOC warrants. One gram of cocaine and two firearms, one of which was stolen, were also seized in the investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

Included in the arrests were Michael J. Alvarez, 26, of Soap Lake, who was arrested for barricading himself after holding his grandmother against her will at knifepoint and on a DOC Detention Order. Alvarez is also a registered sex offender.

Keelan A. Vasquez, 29, of Moses Lake, was arrested for unlawful possession of two firearms and a warrant for third-degree theft and obstruction, according to the sheriff's office.

"This was a great sweep by task force members," Sheriff Tom Jones said. "This operation means 19 felons are off the street and serving their sentences as imposed by the courts."

The Pacific Northwest Violence Offender Task Force includes deputy U.S. Marshals from the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, the District of Alaska, and the District of Oregon, along with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Locally, the task force includes law enforcement officers from the sheriff's office, Moses Lake and Ephrata police departments. Deputies from the U.S. Border Patrol and DOC assisted in the operation.

- Staff report