EVERETT—Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, the Mexican national who was illegally in the United States and is charged with the 2024 death of Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, may have his case dismissed because of Washington State’s sanctuary laws, KOMO News reports.

Benitez-Santana’s attorney’s filed a motion to dismiss the case alleging that the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office “colluded” with ICE allegedly violating the state’s Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) and the Court Open to All act (COTA); the trial were to begin Thursday, May 15, 2025.
According to emails cited in the defense memo, a legal assistant at the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office contacted ICE on March 6, 2024, asking about the possibility of putting a federal hold, called a detainer, on Sanatana in anticipation of a proposed bail reduction which a judge reduced from $1 million to $100,000 just nine days later on March 15, 2024.
First reported by Ari Hoffman, talk radio host of the Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, ERO Seattle (ICE) placed an immigration detainer with the Snohomish County Jail on March 4, for Benitez-Santana, a citizen of Mexico, who is currently being held on charges of vehicular homicide of Washington State Trooper Gadd and vehicular assault for a subsequent collision with a van carrying six passengers.
🧵EXCLUSIVE: ERO Seattle (ICE) placed an immigration detainer with the Snohomish County Jail, WA, on March 4, for Raul Benitez Santana, 33 a citizen of Mexico who is currently being held on charges related to vehicular homicide of Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd. https://t.co/kDYeFvLaNb
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) March 5, 2024
A detainer is the primary tool used by ICE to gain custody of criminal foreign nationals for deportation. It is a notice to another law enforcement agency that ICE intends to assume custody of a foreign national and includes information on the person’s previous criminal history, immigration violations, and potential threat to public safety or security.
ICE lodges detainers on individuals who have been arrested on criminal charges and there is probable cause to believe the person is a removable non-citizen. Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), a person who enters the U.S. without permission—aka border jumping—is “inadmissible,” meaning that they are generally ineligible to adjust status (or apply for a visa) while still in the United States. If the foreign national takes a voluntary departure from the U.S., s/he can apply for admission back into the U.S. after being abroad for three or ten years.
On May 21, 2019, Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed legislation making Washington state a Sanctuary State—restricting law enforcement from asking about immigration status and prohibiting both jails and state prisons from complying with ICE detainers. Inslee signed an executive order with similar provisions in 2017.
Senate Bill-5497, making Washington a sanctuary state, passed the House with a vote of 57-38, and the Senate with a vote of 27-21. Snohomish County lawmakers who voted for the bill were: Representatives Lauren Davis (D-Edmonds), Shelly Kloba (D-Kirkland), John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), Jared Mead (D-Mill Creek), Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-Mukilteo), Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), June Robinson (D-Everett), and Mike Sells (D-Everett); Senators Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo), John McCoy (D-Everett), and Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline).
Benitez-Santana first had contact with Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE) on October 28, 2013, for failing to appear for driving with a suspended license. According to KIRO7, Benitez-Santana has multiple run ins with law enforcement, from traffic infractions to domestic violence:
- Domestic violence assault in King County, May 24, 2019
- Driving with a suspended license in SeaTac, sentenced to 90 days incarceration with 85 days suspended, October 6, 2014
- Marijuana possession of 40 grams or less in Lynnwood, sentenced to 90 days incarceration with 87 days suspended, May 16, 2013
- Driving with a suspended license in Lynnwood, May 3, 2013
Snohomish County District Court presiding judge, Commissioner Jennifer Millett, on Monday, March 4, 2024, disclosed that in 2020, Benitez-Santana was cited for driving 49 mph over the speed limit; in 2015, he was cited for a speed too fast for conditions; and in 2012, for driving 11 mph over the speed limit.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Karen Moore is expected to hear the motion on Monday, May 19, to dismiss the case. If the motion is denied, a jury trial is expected to commence on Tuesday, May 20.
Sanatana’s defense attorneys, Tiffany Mecca and Emily Hancock, are members of the Snohomish County Public Defender Association.
Trooper Christopher M Gadd #927, was tragically killed in the line-of-duty early Saturday morning, Mach 2, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle driven by Raul Benitez Benitez-Santana on southbound Interstate 5 near 136th Street North in Marysville. Gadd served two-and-a-half years with the WSP.
During the investigation, detectives determined the suspect’s SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-5 south, veered off the roadway and struck the rear end of the trooper’s vehicle that was parked on the right shoulder.
According to Detective Monson’s account after watching a video of the incident, Benitez-Santana crossed over to an unoccupied right lane on I-5, then signaled and entered the shoulder lane fully, continuing to drive forward for some time on the shoulder before hitting Trooper Gadd’s patrol vehicle at full speed.
“No doubt, the fact that he had been drinking and consuming marijuana, contributed to his [Mr. Santana’s] failure to recognize that the shoulder is not a proper lane of travel,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Darrow said at Santana’s March 4, 2024, court hearing. “But he didn’t recognize that and so it is certainly reckless, and it is a fair inference he is impaired by the substances he has been using.”
Benitez-Santana, a Lynnwood resident, remained at the scene and was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center for an evaluation following the collision. A blood search warrant was approved and administered. He was arrested and transported to the Snohomish County Jail where he was booked for vehicular homicide, a Class A felony.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state gathered together with Snohomish County residents at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, to honor the life of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd #927.
Trooper Gadd was born in Pasco and grew up near Covington, Washington. He graduated from Kentlake High School and attended Green River College and Tacoma Community College where he received his EMS certificate before entering the police academy.
Trooper Gadd began working with the Washington State Patrol on September 16, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Cammryn, daughter Kaelyn, father WSP Trooper David Gadd, mother Gillian, sister, Jacqueline who currently serves as a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and many other family members, friends and colleagues.


Author: Mario Lotmore
10 Responses
What ever happened to the word LAW! Washington spends more time trying to get illegals off on crimes they have committed, then holding them accountable!
INSLEE you are guilty of the “murder” of Trooper Gadd! You should be in prison with Benitez-Santana!
Just where was this person “working” here in the state that he fell under this ridiculous “Keep Washington Working” law that Jay Inslee signed?? With his criminal history I hardly believe he had time to work. This is clearly another example of the liberal legislature and liberal governor not understanding the consequences of their actions. Now this trooper’s family will have to forever live with those consequences. Such a shame. Inslee and the state legislature is guilty of killing this trooper.
I wonder if the trooper had any parking lights on? Ive recently seen troopers parked on the side of the freeway without lights on which is (or was ) illegal in the past.
I understand inquiring about that but it’s kind of irrelevant when the guy was so trashed he didn’t realize he was driving on the shoulder….
This state is in big trouble! Liberal idiots running our beautiful state. This swamp needs to be drained. When a obvious manslaughter case is dismissed because of some idiotic liberal law protects a murderer.
This is so typical of Jay Inslee and all the Democrats in Olympia. This dirtbag kills a Police officer and because of the laws that protect illegals he will be set free!! I don’t know how the democrats can sleep at night. Shame on all of you.
Didn’t trump sign an EO stating “automatic death penalty, if you kill a police officer?”
I’m pretty sure Trump signed an EO stating “automatic death penalty, if you kill a police officer?”
The collision that killed the state trooper and his immigration status are separate issues. We are also supposed to have a thing called “due process” which if we give up for those who might be gang members we may lose for this guy (who I would like to see in prison, not deported)