A King County Superior Court judge denied a motion by a defense attorney to reduce bail or release to drug treatment the man accused of shooting and injuring a Washington State Patrol trooper Feb. 16 in Kent.
Jason Joshua Posada, 31, of Federal Way, remained in custody at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle with bail at $3 million. Prosecutors charged Posada with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and firearm theft, after he reportedly shot and injured Trooper Raymond Seaburg.
Defense attorney Daniel Aisaka requested a bail reduction and release to Judge Johanna Bender during a July 9 court hearing at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Aisaka sought to allow Posada to be released for six months of drug treatment at the Union Gospel Mission’s Recovery Program in Seattle, according to court documents.
Prosecutors argued that the bail reduction and release should be denied, according to a King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson.
At the initial bail hearing, prosecutors explained the request for $3 million bail.
“High bail is warranted in this matter based on the significant danger to the community,” wrote Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Herschkowitz in charging documents. “The defendant shot a Washington State Patrol trooper numerous times, stole the trooper’s firearm, and has a violent history in his past.”
Posada has convictions for second-degree robbery, third-degree assault, first-degree theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, attempted burglary and being a fugitive from justice.
Seaburg, recovering at home, spoke during the hearing against the bail reduction and release.
“I could’ve died,” said Seaburg, according to a report on king5.com. “They used tourniquets to save me. I was bleeding to death, but they (other officers) saved my life.”
Seaburg is a 21-year veteran with the State Patrol and based out of Enumclaw.
Posada told the judge he asked for the drug treatment program to show the community and the court that he was trying to change his ways, according to king5.com.
In a letter to the judge, the defense team said Posada spent his early years between Burien and Federal Way being raised by his mother and became exposed to drugs as a young boy by his cousins, according to court documents. His mother sent him to his home country of El Salvador to try to set him up for success.
Posada returned to the United States at age 18 and eventually became addicted to meth, heroin and then fentanyl.
“It’s the saddest part of addiction, you try to stay away but the drugs bring you back in,” Posada said in the letter. “I want everyone to know that I don’t want to run from my issues, but I want to give back. I know I’d be expected to work, do community services, chore and I want to build that positivity.”
Posada, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a trial date of Aug. 9, but that date could be pushed out if attorneys ask for more time to prepare the case.
On the night of Feb. 16 in Kent, Seaburg was on patrol when he spotted a possible DUI and speeding vehicle and began to follow it. The vehicle crashed near the intersection of James Street and Washington Avenue. Seaburg notified dispatch the driver fled on foot and he was chasing him, according to Kent Police reports.
Seaburg took Posada to the ground in an apartment parking lot, but Posada reportedly resisted arrest. After a scuffle, Posada reportedly shot Seaburg multiple times. Seaburg remained in the hospital until March 5.
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