Level 3 sex offender arrested after pursuit
MOSES LAKE — A Level 3 sex offender was taken into custody Tuesday night in Moses Lake after reportedly leading police on a high-speed chase and striking at least two other vehicles during the pursuit.
About 5:40 p.m. Paul Gorden, 38, of Moses Lake, was tracked by detectives with the Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) to a residence in the Larson community. Gorden, who had felony and misdemeanor Department of Corrections warrants out for his arrest, fled the Larson area in an SUV. A INET detective pursued the SUV and Gorden ended leading police on a lengthy high-speed chase, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Gorden went down state Route 17 to Grape Drive, went through the Home Depot parking lot and into a nearby field, down Central Drive to Valley Road, across Stratford Road, behind Big 5 Sporting Goods, and north on Stratford Road.
“During the pursuit, Gorden drove at high speeds in the opposite lanes of several of the roads and with his headlights off,” stated the sheriff’s office. “Gorden’s vehicle did strike at least two other vehicles near Stratford (Road) and state Route 17, and caused other property damage along the way. Nobody was seriously injured.”
Because of Gorden’s reckless driving and the danger he posed to the public during the Tuesday evening rush hour, the decision was made to terminate the pursuit. Shortly after the pursuit was terminated, Gorden reportedly crashed the SUV into a fence in the 4300 block of Stratford Road, near Maple Drive. Gorden fled the scene on foot, but was later caught by a Moses Lake Police Department officer.
Gorden was booked into the Grant County for the DOC warrants. Additional charges are pending in connection with the chase. Gorden has previous convictions of third-degree child rape in 2001, 2003 and 2010. He has an additional conviction of communication with a minor for immoral purposes in 2010.
The sex offender database states the 2010 conviction stems from Gorden sexually assaulting two teenagers who attended a party at his house. Gorden reportedly threw parties in which he would supply alcohol to minors and take sexually explicit photos of minors. In 2001 he was convicted for rape after entering into a dating/sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Two years later, in 2003, Gorden was convicted of rape again after entering into a dating/sexual relationship with another 14-year-old girl.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.