Former Clallam County Drug Court Coordinator Johnny F. Watts Jr. was released from federal custody Wednesday afternoon after prosecutors dropped their request to keep him detained pending trial on federal drug charges.
During a detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, the government informed Chief Magistrate Judge Theresa L. Fricke that it was no longer seeking detention for Watts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyne Vaught and Watts’ defense attorney, John Black, agreed to a set of release conditions recommended by U.S. Pretrial Services.
Judge Fricke subsequently adopted the recommendations and signed an Order of Release.
📄 Watts Bond (108KB ∙ PDF file)
Watts, a resident of Port Angeles, was released on an appearance bond that subjects him to strict supervision.
According to court documents, he must undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations, follow all treatment recommendations, and submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
He is prohibited from consuming alcohol or possessing any unprescribed controlled substances.
The court also ordered Watts to surrender all current and expired passports, maintain or actively seek employment, and restrict his travel to the continental United States.
Watts is also barred from having any direct or indirect contact with witnesses or his co-defendant, Jonathan E. Karns.
Watts and Karns were arrested as part of a multi-agency narcotics investigation that culminated in the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and multiple firearms.
During their initial court appearances on June 5, both men pleaded not guilty to federal drug distribution charges.
Watts faces charges involving 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture, while Karns is charged with offenses involving 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture.
Both defendants are identified in court documents as previously convicted felons, which legally prohibits them from possessing firearms.
While Watts has been granted pretrial release, Karns remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac.
Karns is scheduled for his own detention hearing on Monday, June 15, at 1:00 p.m., where a judge will determine if there are conditions under which he can be released without posing a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Watts is scheduled to return to the federal courthouse in Tacoma for his next hearing on Thursday, June 18, at 3:00 p.m.
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