Prosecutors Seek to Keep Former Clallam Official Behind Bars as Co-Defendant Invokes Silence
Federal prosecutors formally moved to hold former Clallam County Drug Court Coordinator Johnny F. Watts Jr. in pretrial detention, classifying him as a serious flight risk and a danger to the community, according to court records.
Meanwhile, his co-defendant, Jonathan E. Karns has formally asserted his constitutional rights, halting further law enforcement interrogations and rescinding any previous waivers.
These filings mark the latest escalation in the federal narcotics case following the initial court appearances of both men yesterday, as previously reported by The Olympic Herald.
In a Motion for Detention filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyne M. Vaught outlined the government’s stance against Watts.
The prosecution argues to the court that there are no conditions of release that could reasonably guarantee Watts’s appearance as required or ensure the safety of any other person and the community.
According to the motion, the case qualifies for a detention order because it involves a federal drug offense carrying a maximum sentence of ten years or more.
The government explicitly invoked a rebuttable presumption against Watts under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e), asserting that probable cause exists to believe he committed the severe drug offenses alleged.
Watts’s formal detention hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 10.
A separate Notice of Appearance filed with the court reveals that Watts has secured local legal representation, tapping Port Angeles-based attorney John D. Black to handle his defense.
While prosecutors zeroed in on securing a pretrial detention order for Watts, co-defendant Jonathan E. Karns moved to insulate himself from ongoing investigations.
As outlined in an Invocation of Rights at Initial Appearance, Karns, represented by Federal Public Defender John R. Carpenter, formally accepted Carpenter as his counsel and explicitly invoked his Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights.
The document demands that his attorney be present for any and all questioning, interrogation, or examination by law enforcement regarding this case or any other matter.
The invocation filed by Karns acts as a legal shield by stating that he is asserting his right to remain silent and is revoking any previous waivers related to questioning.
Furthermore, the filing explicitly rescinds any prior consent Karns had given to authorities to conduct searches.
This defense filing follows earlier federal affidavits stating that Karns initially denied involvement when detained outside the 7 Cedars Casino on March 12, prior to a search of a red backpack that investigators reported yielded a loaded Glock 9mm handgun and 44.45 grams of fentanyl.
Both defendants remain held in federal custody at the Federal Detention Center SeaTac.
While Watts prepares for his detention hearing next Wednesday, Karns is scheduled to face his own hearing on Monday, June 15, where the court will decide whether he will remain in custody prior to trial.