San Juan man charged with three counts of meth possession

Martin Soto-Guillen, 47, of San Juan Island has been charged with three counts of methamphetamine possession.

His arraignment was held on March 9 in San Juan County Superior Court.

On Nov. 16, 2019, a San Juan Island deputy responded to an address in Roche Harbor for a domestic violence no-contact order violation. While searching Soto-Guillen, he found a clear glass pipe with a white crystalline residue inside. The pipe was located in the front pocket of his pants. Inside the other pocket, the deputy discovered a folded up piece of paper. Soto-Guillen allegedly said there was a “little bit” inside it, according to the determination of probable cause. The substance in both the pipe and paper tested positive as methamphetamine in a field test. It was sent to the Washington State Patrol crime lab for additional testing.

On Nov. 30, the deputy observed Soto-Guillen driving near the residence of the victim in the no-contact order. He made contact with him, reminding Soto-Guillen of the two orders. The deputy saw his hand resting on top of his thigh, “appearing to hide something that was in his pocket.” When asked if he had a pipe, Soto-Guillen allegedly said he did and it was “just a little.” He handed over the pipe, which had a white crystalline substance that resembled methamphetamine.

On Dec. 5, a different deputy arrested Soto-Guillen for violating the no-contact protection order and located a small baggy with a white crystalline substance inside his front pants pocket. It tested positive for methamphetamine in a field test.

Soto-Guillen’s criminal record includes residential burglary, two counts of violating a no-contact/protection order and two counts of assault in the fourth degree in San Juan County, and not having a valid driver’s license in Okanogan County District.