Walla Walla healthcare burglary case dismissed against man, city hall case still pending
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, February 19th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A judge on Wednesday dismissed one of two criminal cases against Lucas Chad Warneka, 45, granting a state motion to drop charges related to allegations involving a local mental health facility.
During a status hearing in Walla Walla County Superior Court, Judge Brandon Johnson ordered the dismissal of a March 2025 case containing allegations Warneka burglarized and caused extensive damage to the interior of Comprehensive Healthcare’s facility at 1520 Kelly Place in Walla Walla.
The motion to dismiss was filed by the state “without prejudice,” meaning prosecutors theoretically retain the right to refile the charges in the future. Warneka’s defense attorney, William McCool, had filed his own motion to dismiss the case earlier that morning, arguing that a refiling by the state would be “unduly prejudicial”. While the judge granted the state’s motion first, rendering McCool’s motion moot, he noted the defense’s objection for the record.
The dismissal does not affect a second pending case against Warneka, which involves allegations centered on Walla Walla City Hall. Warneka is accused of allegedly using force to break into an area not regularly used by city employees and setting up camp for about a week. He was arrested on Feb. 13, 2025, and is accused of causing $1,900 in damage to a city hall door that was forced open. At the time of Warneka’s arrest, the Walla Walla Police Department described him as a transient.
A trial for the Walla Walla City Hall case is now scheduled to begin March 24. Wednesday’s hearing also revealed a stalemate in plea negotiations. Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melanie Dane stated the prosecution had offered Warneka a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA), which would allow for substance abuse treatment in lieu of a standard prison sentence. However, McCool informed the court that Warneka is not interested in the state’s specific offer of a prison-based DOSA. While Warneka expressed a desire to return to treatment, he voiced frustration with the current deal, noting that he is limited in the number of DOSA sentences he can receive over a ten-year period.
“I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot,” Warneka told the judge, suggesting the case might need to be pushed significantly further out to remain eligible for certain treatment programs.
Judge Johnson cautioned Warneka against making further statements on the open record and directed him to continue those discussions privately with his counsel.
The court has scheduled a status hearing for March 2 at 2 p.m. At that time, the court expects to review any final discovery and confirm if the parties are prepared to proceed to the March 24 trial.
EMG file photo of Comprehensive Healthcare Center
