Walla Walla man sentenced following February SWAT standoff, identity theft charges

WALLA WALLA — A Walla Walla man who barricaded himself inside a home, triggering a SWAT team response in February, was sentenced Monday to four months in jail. He was credited with 82 days already served in confinement.

Matthew Isaiah Cavazos, 27, appeared in Walla Walla County Superior Court after pleading guilty to three counts of second-degree identity theft.

The charges stem from a February 26 incident that began when police responded to a vehicle theft on Melrose Street. The victim later spotted the vehicle and tracked it, but the occupants fled on foot. Investigators used surveillance footage from a local business to tie Cavazos to the theft after the victim’s debit card was used without permission.

On February 27, officers tracked Cavazos to a residence on the 400 block of Catherine Street. Because Cavazos had a history of resisting arrest and authorities believed he might be armed, the Walla Walla SWAT team was deployed after he barricaded himself inside. SWAT personnel ultimately breached the home, deployed a K-9 unit, and utilized gas to take Cavazos into custody.

During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Ashely Kulberg noted that Cavazos and his family lost all their possessions in the home due to the gas used during the standoff. Cavazos expressed absolute regret for his actions, stating he is ready to rebuild his life and provide for his newborn son.

Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Patricia Fulton granted a defense request allowing Cavazos to serve his remaining 38 days of confinement on electronic home monitoring, provided he secures the equipment by June 14. Cavazos was also sentenced to 12 months of community custody with mandatory substance use disorder treatment.

File photo of Walla Walla SWAT vehicle

---

• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group