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FILED IN COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

F i ^ O 2012 p,.
In the Superior Court of the State of Washingtqjj^pgg cj^NTiTwASHiNaTON In and for the County of Pierce Complaint for Search Warrant (Evidence)

12-1-50158-2
State of Washington County of Pierce ) ) SS: ) No.

Comes now Detective Ryan M. Salmon being first duly sworn, under oath, deposes and says: That, on or about the 5th day of February, 2012 in the State of Washington, County of Pierce, felonies, to-wit; Homicide; RCW 9A.32. That these felonies were committed by the act, procurement or omission of another, that the following evidence is material to the investigation or prosecution of the above described felonies, to-wit;

1. Crime scene processing to include, but not limited to, photographs, video recordings, sketches, measurements, and notes as needed to document the alleged crime. 2. Indicia of occupancy, identification, paperwork, papers, mail, bills, or other documents whether in paper, (hard copy), or digital machine readable format on a computer to determine dominion and/or control of said abode or place to be searched as described below. 3. Trace evidence of the suspect and or victim of the alleged crime, such as (but not limited to) hair, fibers, blood, blood spatter, hair, semen, saliva, fmgerprints (both visible and latent), and other bodilyfluids.This could be found in numerous places for example (but not limited to) clothing, upholstery, or other places in and about the place, abode, or property to be searched as described below. 4. Any weapons that may have been used to inflict the wounds found on the victim(s) body. 5. Any locked containers inside the listed imit. 6. Cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, computers, cameras, video recorders, blackberries and any other electronic communication devices, or any other data-retrieval storage devices, including but not limited to thumb drives, external hard drives, and disks. 7. Any and all accelerant(s),flammableand ignitable liquids or chemicals, and containers used or commonly used to store or contain accelerants,flammableand ignitable liquids or chemicals. 8. Any and all items to include but not limited to: journals, notebooks, diaries, ledgers, handwritten or typed notes, and/or personal correspondence. 9. Any and all United States Currency. 10. Any and all insurance or estate planning documents.

Your affiant recognizes that the listed items of evidence are material to the investigation or prosecution of the above described felonies for the following reasons; To further the investigation of the above described felony and for the purpose of recovering the above listed evidence. Furthermore, vour affiant verily believes that the above listed items of evidence are concealed in or about the following particular person, place, residence, vehicle and/or thing, to-wit: A single storage unit, numbered 141, located at the business Western Self Storage. The business is located at 1402 East Valley Highway E, Sumner, WA 98390 in Pierce County, Washington.

Your affiant's belief is based upon the following probable cause; On 02-05-12, 911 was called by a supervised visit worker for DSHS, stating she had brought two children to their father's residence for a supervised visit. The father's name was Joshua Powell. The DHSH worker stated Powell opened the door, let the children in, and shut the front door in the face of the worker. Shortly thereafter, the worker could smell gas and called 911. A short time later, the house the three individuals were in exploded. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived and located the three victims, who were declared deceased. While this was occurring, several people began calling 911 saying they had received emailsfromJoshua Powell, telling them goodbye, that he could not live without his kids, and to take care of several things related to his finances. Investigators were able to determine that an accelerant was used inside the home. A subsequent examination of the victims by the Medical Examiner's Office found that sharp impact wounds were located on the back of the head of the two children, who were identified as Powell's children, Charlie and Braden. A hatchet was recovered near the bodies by PCSD investigators. Additionally, accelerant was apparently used on the bodies and two gas canisters were recovered. Det. Tom Catey contacted Fred Meyers store security and was advised there is video of a male subject they beheve to be Powell purchasing a gas canister within 24 hours prior to the homicide. Through a prior investigation with the West Valley Pohce Department, Detective Sanders had knowledge about a storage unit rented by Powell at Western Self Storage in Sumner, WA. Det. Mike Portman learned through invesfigafion that Powell visited his bank on 02-04-12 and withdrew $6,500 dollars in cash. Currently, that money is unaccounted for.

On 02-07-12 at approximately 1015 hours, Detective Sanders contacted employees from Western Self Storage who advised Powell still had the storage unit at the business. Per the employees, Powell last accessed the unit on 02-04-12, the day prior to the homicide. Your affiant is seeking pennission to search the storage unit for evidence related to the homicide.

B A C K G R O U N D AND E X P E R I E N C E : Your affiant has been a commissioned Pierce County Deputy Sheriff for ten years, and is now currently serving at the rank of Detective assigned to the Special Assault Unit. Your affiant has been assigned as a Patrol OfficerfromApril of 2001 to July of 2206. Your Affiant was then transfen-ed to the Domestic Violence Unit and was an InvesfigatorfromJuly of 2006 to July of 2009 and again from January 2010 to September of 2010, when he was promoted to his current duty assignment. Your affiant has completed a 40 hour Interview and Interrogation course at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Your affiant has completed Domestic Violence Danger Assessment Training in 2007, NICP Basic/Advanced Domestic/Sexual Assault Training in 2007 and 2008, and attended the Child Abuse and Family Violence Training in 2007 and 2009. Your affiant is also a Certified Washington State Police Officer. Your affiant has received a Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University in Criminal Justice in 2000.

^Detective Ryan M. Salmon Pierce County Sheriffs Department. Criminal Investigations Division

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this

day of

,2012

Time Superior Court Judie. Pierce County, Washington

IN COUNTY"CLIRK'S OFFICE

FILED IN COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

In the Superior Court of the State of Washington ^yJ^ ?B 1 0 2012 PM In and for the County of Pierce J^m^nnrmmu.roH
Search Warrant (Evidence)
KEVIN STOCK. County Clerk ay -.^DEPUTY

State o f Washington County of Pierce

) )SS:
)

12-1-50158-2
No.

The State of Washington to the Sheriff or any peace officer of said County: WHEREAS, Detective Ryan M . Salmon has this day made complaint on oath to the undersigned one of the judges of the above entitled court in and for said county that on or about the 5th Day of February 2012 in the State of Washington, County of Pierce, felonies, to-wit; Homicide RCVV9A.32. That these felonies were committed by the act, procurement or omission of another and that the following evidence is material to the invesdgarion or prosecution of the above described felony, towit: 1. Crime scene processing to include, but not limited to, photographs, video recordings, sketches, measurements, and notes as needed to document the alleged crime. 2. Indicia of occupancy, identification, paperwork, papers, mail, bills, or other documents whether in paper, (hard copy), or digital machine readable format on a computer to determine dominion and/or control of said abode or place to be searched as described below. 3. Trace evidence of the suspect and or victim of the alleged crime, such as (but not limited to) hair,fibers,blood, blood spatter, hair, semen, saliva, fmgerprints (both visible and latent), and other bodily fluids. This could be found in numerous places for example (but not limited to) clothing, upholstery, or other places in and about the place, abode, or property to be searched as described below. 4. Any weapons that may have been used to inflict the wounds found on the victim(s) body. 5. Any locked containers inside the listed unit. 6. Cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, computers, cameras, video recorders, blackberries and any other electronic communication devices, or any other data-retrieval storage devices, including but not limited to thumb drives, external hard drives, and disks. 7. Any and all accelerant(s), flammable and ignitable liquids or chemicals, and containers used or commonly used to store or contain accelerants, flammable and ignitable liquids or chemicals. 8. Any and all items to include but not limited to: joumals, notebooks, diaries, ledgers, handwritten or typed notes, and/or persona! correspondence. 9. Any and all United States Currency. 10. Any and all insurance or estate planning documents

Furthermore, your affiant verily believes that the above listed items of evidence are concealed in or about a particular person, place, residence, vehicle, and/or thing, to wit; A single storage unit, numbered 141, located at the business Western Self Storage. The business is located at 1402 East Valley Highway E, Sumner, WA 98390 in Pierce County, Washington. THEREFORE, in the name of the State of Washington, you are commanded that within ten days from this date, with necessary and proper assistance, you enter into and/or search the said house, person, place or thing, and then and there diligently search for said evidence, and any other, and if same, or evidence material to the investigation or prosecution of said felony or any part thereof, be found on such search, bring the same forthwith before me, to be disposed of according to law. A copy of this warrant shall be served upon the person or persons found in or on said house or place and if no person is found in or on said house or place, a copy of this warrant shall be posted upon any conspicuous place in or on said house, place, or thing, and a copy of this warrant and inventory shall be returned to the undersigned judge or his agent promptly after execution. Given under my hand this __^^^ay of ^ Time: / ' ^ , 2012. / / ^

Superior Coiirt Judge. ' Pierce County, Washington

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1 0 20,2

RETURN OF OFFICER

12-1-50158-2
STATE OF WASHINGTON) ) ss: COUNTY OF PIERCE ) NO.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that 1 received the within Search Warrant on t h e ^ of Fe^fuftrv|

day

that pursuant to the command contained therein, I made due and diligent

search of the property described therein and found the following: SEE ATTACHED PROPERTY SHEET FILED
IN COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

A . M V ^ B 1 0 2 1 p 02 . . Names of persons found in possession of property:

PlEflfCECOUNTY, WASHINSTON KEVIN STOCK. County Clerk

gv^

nconry

Names of persons served with true and complete copy of Search Warrant:

Description of door or conspicuous place where copy of Search Wairant posted:

Place where property is now kept: PIERCE COUNTY PROPERTY ROOM

DATED this ^

day of Fa

Witnesses:

2 . ' 1^'" i^S* ; i"i-t*^>'^'c3-rJ^3''^3i?

AGENCY:

^ P C S O O TPD

OTHER

PROPERTY REPORT
SEARCH'WARRANT

PROPERTY SUBMITTED BY: ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS OR COMMENTS:

12-1-50158-2

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8
Oco 2-1040
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DATE DATE

PROPERTY RECEIVED: METHOD PROPERTY INVENTORIED BY:

BY: UNIT NO.