Woman granted deferred sentence after assaulting Walla Walla police officers

By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Ashley Nicole Hughes, 33, received a 12-month deferred sentenced Monday after assaulting two Walla Walla police officers last June.

Officers responded to a report of Hughes disturbing the peace on the 700 block of Chase Avenue on June 27, 2025. When officers confronted Huges at Jefferson Park, she became confrontational and assaulted two officers by kicking and spitting on them.

At the time of her arrest, WWPD listed Hughes as a transient.

During Hughes’ sentencing hearing, Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Patricia Fulton cited her lack of prior criminal history and successful engagement with mental health treatment.

If Hughes remains compliant and avoids legal trouble, her guilty findings will be withdrawn, and the case will be officially dismissed in January 2027.