LYNDEN - A Skagit County man wanted for violating his parole was arrested Friday morning, Nov. 9, after showing up to court on another matter.
David Joseph Veliz, 27, who is known to frequent Lynden, was wanted for missing a meeting with his parole officer. Sheriff Bill Elfo had asked for the public's help in tracking him down.
The man's wife, Lilliana Manrique-Veliz, said the sheriff "slandered" her husband - alerting media that Veliz had missed a parole appointment on Monday - as retaliation for pending litigation. Veliz was kicked out of the Northwest Washington Fair in August under the fair's new anti-gang policy, and he plans to sue. Manrique-Veliz denied her husband's involvement in any gang.
Elfo said he had "no knowledge" of the pending lawsuit.
"We didn't issue the warrant. The state Department of Corrections did," Elfo said. "And we're very aggressive about seeking out wanted gang members."
Veliz has a violent criminal history. Elfo said his deputies had confirmed Veliz is a gang member.
Reach CALEB HUTTON at caleb.hutton@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2276.
