Norteño gang member arrested in Vancouver drug sting

A Norteno gang member was arrested Wednesday night in Rose Village during a heroin trafficking sting after he allegedly rammed a SWAT vehicle.

Jeffery D. Lewis, 29, of Goldendale appeared Thursday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of four counts of second-degree assault, possession of heroin with the intent to deliver and first-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license.

His bail was set at $400,000. He will be arraigned Oct. 20.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a confidential informant contacted Vancouver police about Lewis selling heroin in the city, in exchange for “favorable consideration on pending cases.” The informant, who is not identified in court records, allegedly agreed to meet Lewis at S&S Mart, 3303 S St., to buy an ounce of heroin for $1,100.

Officers with the department’s Safe Streets Task Force and local SWAT team responded to the location at about 8:45 p.m. and saw a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Lewis pull into the market. They attempted to stop him, but Lewis backed the Monte Carlo into one of the SWAT vehicles, causing minor damage, the affidavit states.

Four officers were inside the vehicle. No one was injured, Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said Thursday afternoon.

Lewis was taken into custody following a brief standoff.

Officers served a search warrant on the Monte Carlo, Kapp said, and found a stolen handgun, a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine and an ounce of heroin. She said Lewis faces additional allegations, including possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver.

Court records indicate Lewis was released from prison about six months ago. He was out on bail in an April case for possession of heroin with the intent to deliver, according to a press release from the Vancouver Police Department. Police said he had a warrant for failing to appear for a recent court date in Grant County.

Police say they believe Lewis is involved in trafficking firearms and large amounts of controlled substances in the Vancouver, Longview and Yakima areas, the press release states.