Bail Set at $50K for Forks Man Accused of Threatening, Assaulting Police
A 32-year-old man is currently being held in the Clallam County Correction Facility on $50,000 bail. He is accused of fighting with police and threatening to kill them during a weekend arrest.
Gabino Escalante Cruz was taken into custody by the Forks Police Department on the evening of June 6. During a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden found probable cause to hold the defendant.
The court confirmed the appointment of public defender Alex Stalker to represent Cruz.
Arguing that the defendant poses a flight risk and a threat to community safety, prosecutor Steve Johnson requested bail be set at $50,000. Johnson noted that Cruz allegedly attempted to prevent officers from transporting him to jail following his arrest.
The state also highlighted the defendant’s criminal history, noting three fourth-degree assault convictions—one carrying a domestic violence designation—between 2020 and 2023.
Cruz’s record also includes a 2021 reckless driving conviction, a 2019 driving under the influence conviction, a 2015 physical control conviction, and three failure-to-appear warrants issued in 2019.
Stalker requested that bail be reduced to between $5,000 and $10,000.
Judge Basden elected to maintain the $50,000 bail condition. While the judge expressed “limited concerns” regarding the defendant’s likelihood to appear for future court dates, he cited “significant concerns” about Cruz potentially interfering with the administration of justice.
Reviewing the probable cause affidavit, Basden stated that the allegations “seem to go beyond typical threats.” The affidavit alleges that Cruz threatened to kill law enforcement personnel and exhibited violence toward officers during the arrest process.
According to jail records, Cruz was booked on suspicion of multiple offenses, including third-degree assault, felony harassment, driving under the influence of alcohol, third-degree malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and hit-and-run of an unattended vehicle.
Prosecutors are expected to formally file charges during a hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. An arraignment is set for Friday.