Arson is among new charges that could be added against Hammond
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Matthew Ryan Hammond, 34, of Walla Walla faces new charges following Tuesday’s bench warrant arrest.
The Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will determine whether to charge him with first-degree arson, residential burglary, theft, and malicious mischief.
Court documents state Hammond is suspected of residential burglary at a duplex on the 1000 block of West Chestnut Street. He’s also accused of damaging property at that location. A Walla Walla police officer found one of the exterior windows to the duplex and some exterior siding sustained damage as it appeared to have been burned.
Hammond is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 4 on this new case.
A bench warrant was issued after Hammond failed to appear for his Oct. 7 sentencing hearing. The new charges came after he was in custody. Hammond was also arrested on Aug. 7, 2023, for probable cause of arson in connection with a fire at 409 W. Rees Ave. He pleaded guilty to second-degree malicious mischief and second-degree burglary in that case.
