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Crime Round-up

Local man charged with child rape

On October 20, local resident Steven Dyde was charged with third-degree rape of a child following allegations he had sexual relations with a minor.

In the affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court October 13, prosecutors state that a 15-year-old girl told sheriff’s deputies that Dyde, 40, invited her to his room following a party at his residence in the early morning of September 2 after most of the party-goers, who had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana, had left.

There, the girl alleges, they lay on Dyde’s bed and talked, then began kissing and touching each other. They removed their clothing and had sexual intercourse including vaginal penetration and oral sex.

The girl reported this information to deputies on October 10 and Dyde, who denies any sexual contact with the girl or her having been in his room, was arrested and transported to Whatcom County Jail. He was released October 11 on $10,000 bail. Conditions of his release include that he not have contact with minors or consume intoxicants. His trial is set to begin January 8.

Two moms charged with delivery of a controlled substance
A telephone tip-off led officers at the port-of-entry to the seizure of two pounds of marijuana being transported by a pair of local women.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the county superior court October 12, Beth Calder-Gellatly and Denise Lopez attempted to cross the border into Point Roberts on October 4 at 11:15 p.m. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers had received a telephone call earlier with information that Calder-Gellatly would be attempting to transport a large amount of drugs within the next “couple of days,” and inspected the vehicle. CBP officers report they detected the strong smell of marijuana when they opened the vehicle’s door. They found two coolers in the backseat and center console which contained four plastic bags of marijuana, as established by a field-test.

CBP officers stated that Calder-Gellatly took responsibility for the marijuana and stated that Lopez did not have any knowledge of the marijuana. Lopez denied knowing the drugs were in the vehicle and said she did not smell the odor, though the affidavit states that CBP officers found it so strong they “could smell it as soon as they opened the door,” and that the drugs were located within reach of both the driver and passenger.

When asked if the drugs were being imported for sale, CBP officers stated that Calder-Gellatly said “It would get sold but not by me.” She is also alleged to have said she acquired the marijuana in Canada and it was not intended for medical reasons.

Sheriff’s deputies were called who took the women into custody and transported them to Whatcom County Jail. They were released on October 6 on personal recognizance with the condition that they not contact one another or witnesses.

Calder-Gellatly was arraigned on October 13 on a class C felony, delivery of a controlled substance. Lopez was arraigned on the same charge October 20. They are both set to face trial beginning December 11, and could each face up to five years in jail, a fine of $10,000, or both.

Fender bender leads to assault charges against husband

Scott M. Chap has been charged with assault in the second degree following an alleged attack on his wife.

An affidavit of probable cause, filed in Superior Court on October 12, states that sheriff’s deputies saw signs of several injuries on the woman’s body after they were called to Elizabeth Drive on October 9 for a report of domestic abuse. Chap’s wife, 29, alleges that Chap, 39, had become violent during an argument on October 7 over a car accident. The woman had driven his car into the closed garage door. She alledged he had shoved, punched and attempted to strangle her, commanded one of his dogs to attack her, which resulted in a bite, and attempted to strangle her again before she could break free and flee to a friend’s house.

Chap was arrested and released October 12 after posting a $20,000 bond. Under release conditions he is not to possess firearms or come into contact with his wife. He was arraigned on October 20 and a November 29 status hearing will determine whether his trial, now scheduled for December 11, will proceed on that date. If convicted of the class B felony Chap could spend up to 10 years in jail and pay a fine up to $20,000, or both.

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