K9 Bane Locates DV Suspect Despite His Attempt to Hide
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responding to a domestic violence call learned the suspect had fled on foot. Deputy Clay Hilton and his partner K9 Bane were called in to help locate the suspect who had just broke into his ex-girlfriend’s residence and assaulted her. K9 Bane located and contacted the suspect, who was hiding in an old barn.
On June 20, 2018, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a possible domestic violence assault in the 7400 block of S. Spotted Rd. A roommate reported she was awoke by the sounds of yelling and a female could be heard crying in the background. The suspect of the assault, identified as 28-year-old Justin T. Gentemann, was last seen walking from the residence.
Deputy Garrett Spencer arrived at the scene and contacted the victim and witness. He was told the victim’s ex-boyfriend, Gentemann, had just been released from the Grant County Jail and somehow made his way to Airway Heights. He called the victim asking for a ride and began to get angry when he was told no. Gentemann began repeatedly texting the victim, calling her extremely vulgar and derogatory names. She added Gentemann had been trespassed from the residence last April.
The victim stated she went to sleep but woke up and found Gentemann crawling into bed with her. She jumped up and began yelling at Gentemann, who became angry and assaultive.
Believing the suspect was still in the area on foot, Deputy Hilton and K9 Bane were called to help locate him. After several announcements were given advising Gentemann to surrender or a K9 would be used to find him and he could be bitten went unanswered, K9 Bane began the track.
Eventually reaching an old barn with part of its roof collapsed, K9 Bane showed a change in his behavior and tried to enter the barn through a small hole in the wall. Deputy Hilton repositioned K9 Bane and gave three additional K9 announcements. With no response, K9 Bane was deployed into the barn. A few moments later, K9 Bane went under a cattle gate and made contact with Gentemann.
Gentemann was taken into custody and provided medical attention. When asked why he didn’t surrender after the K9 announcements, Gentemann told Deputy Hilton he was sleeping and didn’t hear them, but later admitted to seeing K9 Bane during the track.
Gentemann was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 1st Degree (DV), Assault 4th (DV) and Resisting Arrest.
