Man sentenced to jail on voyeurism charges

Incidents in Clallam, Jefferson counties; four counts dismissed

PORT ANGELES — An Ellensburg man has been sentenced to two one-year jail sentences to be served concurrently and one year community custody on two counts of first-degree voyeurism, one in Sequim and one in Port Townsend.

Four other counts against Patrick Henry Nicholson Jr., 44, were dismissed Thursday in Clallam County Superior Court.

The crimes in count four occurred “on or about” Jan. 1, 2012, at a house Nicholson had in Sequim.

The crimes in count five occurred “on or about” Dec. 3, 2012, inside a private firefighter sleeping room at East Jefferson Fire Rescue Station 1-5 at 35 Critter Lane in Port Townsend.

According to Clallam County Deputy Prosecutor Sarah Woolman, the original cases were filed in separate counties, but it was agreed to resolve them both in Clallam County.

Nicholson Jr. was a former fire marshal for Kittitas County, a former fire chief, former firefighter, former paramedic and former reserve Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy.

The determination of probable cause filed by Deputy Clallam County Prosecutor Sarah Woolman also stated “I believe Patrick Nicholson committed several counts of voyeurism in the first degree and as he filmed/recorded multiple victims without their knowledge or consent.”

Seventeen videos of varying lengths totalling 36 minutes were recorded around Dec. 3, 2012, according to the probable cause statement.

They were recorded with a hidden camera inside a private firefighter sleeping room at EJFR Station 1-5 in Port Townsend.

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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.