Mount Vernon Police Arrest Three after serving a Warrant

According to a Press Release from MVPD:
On April 20, 2023, at approximately 9:25 am, the Mount Vernon Police Department attempted to serve a search warrant at 2206 Woodridge Avenue, Mount Vernon, for RCW 69.50.402 (f)-Maintaining a premise for Use of Controlled Substances (VUCSA).
This location had been the source of approximately 160 calls for service since March of 2020. The majority of the complaints included drug problems, violation of court orders, warrant arrests, burglary, theft, stolen motor vehicles, abandoned vehicles, domestic violence, fights, threatening, and traffic enforcement complaints. The vast majority of the calls had evidence of drug usage and officers learned that the property owner continued to allow this to occur. The criminal behavior at this location had generated numerous complaints of neighborhood decay and the impacts to quality of life in the neighborhood.
During the warrant service, several individuals came out of the residence. Others then refused to exit and began covering windows and barricading themselves within the location. The Mount Vernon Police Tactical Operations Team was called in, along with Crisis Negotiators. It took several hours for all nine occupants to exit. Those arrested include 33-year-old Alecxis Cortez for outstanding warrants and Resisting Arrest, 44-year-old Nichole Hall and 73-year-old Steven Butler for outstanding warrants and maintaining a premise for VUCSA, all Mount Vernon residents.
The City of Mount Vernon Code Enforcement and The Skagit County Health Department were on scene to address code and health violations.The Mount Vernon Police Crime
Prevention Division, along with the
Integrated Outreach Services
Team (IOS) offered assistance to
the remaining six occupants who
were displaced by the warrant
service.
A single problem location, within
an otherwise peaceful neighborhood, can change everyday life for those living close by. These types
of investigations often take months or even years to develop probable cause to allow for a warrant to
intervene. Although the slow pace is often met with frustration, actions such as those that took place
today create a win for the community
We appreciate the assistance of the Skagit County Sheriff s Office, Sedro Woolley Police Department and the Washington State Department of Corrections in today’s investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that would assist investigators are asked to call the 24-hour dispatch information number (360) 428-3211 or during business hours call Mount Vernon Police at (360) 336-6271.
Lieutenant Mike Moore
Case #23-MO6572