Suspect Arrested for Warrants & Child Luring, Later Assault Another Inmate
Spokane Valley Deputies investigating a reported abduction attempt arrested 26-year-old Jacob J. Ellison for outstanding felony/misdemeanor warrants and attempting to lure a child. Later, an assault charge was added after Ellison struck another inmate in the jail, breaking the victim’s front tooth.
On June 27, 2017, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to Horizon Middle School for a report of a male, later identified as Ellison, attempting to abduct/lure a young female. Responding deputies were informed the father of the victim was in a verbal confrontation with Ellison.
Deputy Turner arrived and observed Ellison begin pacing when he observed the patrol car. Ellison identified himself but seemed reluctant and said he shouldn’t have any warrants. When Ellison was informed Deputy Turner was investigating a possible Child Abduction/Luring and a verbal argument, Ellison stated he was at the school to meet his son and he didn’t touch the girl. Ellison appeared extremely nervous as he spoke. He initially said he thought the victim was his daughter and could only see the back of the victim’s head, not her face. He continued, saying he was there to meet his ex-wife and daughter at the softball game. Ellison could not provide his ex-wife’s name and failed to provide a contact phone number. Ellison continued to change his version of events, and later denied even speaking to the victim.
A computer check of Ellison revealed two confirmed warrants for his arrest, a Washington State Department of Corrections warrant (original charge of Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree & Money Laundering) and a local misdemeanor warrant for Assault. When Ellison was taken into custody and told he was being arrested for the warrants, he said, “Is that all?” Ellison was advised of his rights and declined to answer questions or provide any additional information.
The victim’s father explained he was getting some items out of his vehicle and his daughter was waiting for him a short distance away. He heard Ellison calling and looked over to observe Ellison motion with his hand to the victim and heard him say “Come here.” He confronted Ellison who said he was there to meet his daughter and mistakenly thought the victim was her. The father walked away and told the other parents at the softball game what occurred, only to look back and observe Ellison playing catch with some other small children. The other parents quickly called their children away. None of the other parents seemed to know Ellison and the victim’s father did not believe Ellison actual had a child at the ballpark. He watched Ellison walk around and said Ellison appeared to have no purpose as he meandered. The father called and reported Ellison’s behavior and confronted him again.
The victim confirmed she was looking toward Ellison when he attempted to contact her and turned away. This directly contradicts Ellison’s explanation when he said he only saw the victim from behind and confused her for his daughter. She also said Ellison tried twice to get her to come over and go with him before her dad confronted him.
Ellison was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for the warrants and an additional charge of Luring.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., Deputy Turner responded to a suspicious person call in the area of Horizon Middle School referencing Ellison’s actions. Deputy Turner was told by the mother of a young boy Ellison attended an estate sale in the area in the past few days where she spoke to him. At that time, Ellison showed an interest toward her son and asked questions about him and what sports he played. She became concerned after hearing from a friend about the incident at Horizon and Ellison’s arrest because he had arrived at her location an hour prior to the incident to look at some furniture she was selling. She said Ellison asked more questions about her son and seemed more interested in him than the furniture. She told Ellison he was playing baseball and wasn’t there. Ellison left the location, paced around and walked off toward Horizon Middle School. She explained after being told about the incident, she felt Ellison was attempting to find her son when he went to the school.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., Deputy Turner was advised Ellison assaulted another inmate while in the booking area and Spokane County Deputy Brad Humphrey was responding to investigate the incident.
Deputy Humphrey learned during his interviews Ellison was in a holding cell with other inmates. They were talking and some of the inmates began laughing at Ellison due to his charges. Witnesses stated Ellison grew angry and, without provocation or warning, struck the victim in the mouth with his elbow breaking his tooth and cutting his lip.
Ellison refused to answer questions or provide a statement. An addition charge of Assault 4th Degree was added for this incident.