Not Guilty Plea Entered in Port Angeles Assault Case
CLALLAM COUNTY — A 26-year-old Port Angeles man appeared in Clallam County Superior Court on Tuesday to enter a plea of not guilty regarding a domestic violence charge. The case involves allegations that he assaulted a woman at her residence in July.
The defendant, identified as Elijah D. Creed, was arraigned before Judge Brent Basden on July 14. During the proceeding, he waived the formal reading of the charging documents and entered his plea. He faces a count of second-degree assault by strangulation.
Trial Dates and Court Orders
Judge Basden scheduled a two-day trial to commence on September 8, 2026. A status and omnibus conference is set for August 14, with a speedy trial deadline established for September 12. The court has also issued a no-contact order designed to protect the alleged victim. Court minutes indicate the defendant was informed of this order and served with it.
The defendant remains in custody. His bail was originally set at $20,000 following his first appearance on July 7. During Tuesday's hearing, his public defender requested a reduction in the bond. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven P. Johnson Jr. and Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols represented the state. After reviewing the arguments, the court declined to alter the bail amount.
The defendant told the court that he has been unable to access certain prescribed medications while incarcerated. Court minutes noted that Judge Basden was uncertain regarding the specific rules governing medication distribution within the jail facility. The defendant, who was arrested on July 6 and has remained jailed since that date, appeared in person for the arraignment.
The Charge
The criminal information was filed on July 9 by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven P. Johnson Jr. The filing includes one count of assault in the second degree by strangulation. A special allegation accompanies the charge, noting that the offense was allegedly committed against an intimate partner.
This is classified as a felony. Convictions carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $20,000, along with potential restitution and assessments.
The Allegations
A probable cause statement was submitted by Port Angeles Police Officer Jason Hooper. It details a response by law enforcement to an apartment complex located in the 900 block of West Lauridsen Boulevard. Police arrived at the scene around 2 p.m. on July 6 to investigate a reported domestic violence incident.
A 34-year-old woman provided a statement to investigators. She reported that she and the defendant, a man she had previously dated and who sometimes stayed at her residence, had engaged in an argument over several days.
According to the account, the dispute escalated when the defendant allegedly pushed the woman onto her bed. He then straddled her to restrict the movement of her arms, pulled her hair, and placed a hand around her throat, squeezing. The woman stated she was unable to breathe or speak during the encounter and could not communicate for him to stop. She said the interaction ceased only when an alarm sounded on his phone.
The woman also described the defendant's substance use to police, noting he had consumed alcohol and engaged in the use of "whip-its." The report clarifies this involves inhaling nitrous oxide from compressed canisters, such as those used for whipped cream or compressed air products. She reported that the defendant inhaled Dust Off at her residence shortly before departing for the courthouse.
Officer Hooper noted the woman's voice sounded raspy during their conversation, and she reported discomfort in her neck and throat. He observed minor redness on her neck, with a mark on the right side being more prominent and approximately the size of a quarter. Documentation of her neck, face, and head was taken, and she was advised to visit Olympic Medical Center for a medical assessment.
Arrested Leaving a Courtroom
According to the woman, Creed was serving probation and scheduled for a court hearing at 2 p.m. Officer Hooper located a gray Honda Civic registered to Creed parked in the vicinity of the courthouse.
Following the interview, Hooper proceeded to the courthouse and apprehended Creed as he exited a courtroom. Creed surrendered without incident and was handcuffed.
After receiving his Miranda warnings, Creed told authorities that the two individuals had been arguing and that he had participated in "whip-its" with her. He stated she had been "physical" with him and that he was acting in self-defense.
The suspect further told the officer that the woman frequently became physical with him and that he "should have" reported it. When questioned regarding strangulation, Creed denied the allegation. He was booked into the Clallam County Corrections Facility.
The Case So Far
At Creed's preliminary appearance on July 7, Judge Basden determined probable cause existed, assigned the public defender's office, and issued a no-contact order.
Creed's public defender requested release on personal recognizance. The court, however, approved the State's proposed release conditions, which included $20,000 bail.
Should Creed post bail, his conditions of release include maintaining his residence at a specified Port Angeles address, travel restricted to Washington State, no contact with the woman, no firearms or other deadly weapons, no alcohol, and no drugs except as prescribed by a physician.
The State filed the information two days later, and at a July 9 hearing before Judge Elizabeth Stanley the parties agreed to set arraignment for July 14.
Under the case schedule signed Tuesday, the State and defense must complete their discovery obligations by August 7, ahead of the August 14 omnibus conference and the September 8 trial date.