Domestic incidents produce charges

A 32-year-old Kent man is accused of a list of crimes, including extortion, in connection with a domestic-abuse incident on South Whidbey last November, according to court documents.

Prosecutors charged Michael Ramage in Island County Superior Court March 27 with extortion in the first degree, harassment — threats to kill, malicious mischief in the first degree, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and assault in the fourth — domestic violence.

Ramage pleaded not guilty to the charges June 11.

Lt. Evan Tingstad wrote in his report on the case that a Clinton woman claimed that Ramage, her live-in boyfriend, assaulted her, threatened to kill her, trashed her home and stole her belongings Nov. 1, 2006.

Tingstad wrote that Ramage also threatened to assault the woman if she didn’t make payments on his car.

Investigators later recovered the woman’s jewelry, which Ramage had pawned at various shops, Tingstad wrote.

Deputies tried to locate Ramage but it turned out that he escaped to Seattle, the report states.

The alleged victim went to Seattle to see Ramage Nov. 15. He beat her up so badly that she had to be hospitalized, Tingstad wrote.

If convicted of the charges, Ramage could face from a year and three months to a year and eight months in prison.

You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.