8-Time Convicted Felon Arrested - 10 Firearms, at least 3 Stolen, Ammunition, and Drugs Seized
Spokane County Sheriff’s Investigative Unit (SCIU) Detectives, with the SWAT Team’s assistance, served a search warrant at a residence of an 8-time convicted felon as part of a domestic violence investigation. The suspect was arrested, and during the subsequent search of the home, investigators seized 10 firearms (pistols/rifles), ammunition, and drugs. So far, three of the firearms were confirmed as stolen.
On September 9, 2020, Spokane County Sheriff’s Investigative Unit Detective Pratt obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 8400 block of E. Rich as part of a domestic violence investigation.
The investigation began when patrol Deputies contacted the victim who reported 37-year-old Zachery W. Bennett, a known convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, threatened to kill her. Bennett has a lengthy criminal history, including eight felony convictions for Robbery 2nd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Mischief-Deadly Weapon, Violation of a DV Protection Order, Burglary 1st Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree, Malicious Mischief 1st Degree, and Theft 2nd Degree.
As the investigation continued, Detective Pratt developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant for Bennett’s home. Information was also received Bennett was recently in possession of AR-15 style rifles and several handguns with extended magazines.
On September 9, 2020, at approximately 4:15 p.m., SCIU Detectives, with the assistance of the SWAT Team, EDU, and several Patrol Deputies due to Bennett’s extensive criminal history and the high likelihood he was armed with multiple weapons, served the search warrant at the residence.
Several announcements for Bennett to surrender were ignored. Multiple attempts to coax Bennett into cooperating were unsuccessful. SWAT Team members eventually entered the residence and located Bennett and another adult male hiding in the attic. Both males were detained without further incident.
During the subsequent search, in addition to other items of evidentiary value, investigators seized multiple rifles/handguns (10 total), several boxes of ammunition/loaded magazines, approximately 29 grams of Heroin, approximately 3+ grams of Methamphetamine, and digital scales.
Bennett was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Harassment-Threats to Kill (DV). Additional charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree (10-counts), Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2-counts), and Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree (DV) were added.
Due to violations of his release/bond conditions from a previous unrelated arrest, Bennett is also being held on charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (3-counts).
The second male found hiding with Bennett was not charged and later released at the scene.
Bennett remains in custody with his bond set at $40,000. This case remains active, and additional charges are possible.
