Man in alleged ferry bomb hoax awaiting mental evaluation

PORT ANGELES — Arraignment of a 60-year-old Port Angeles man who said he had placed a bomb aboard the Victoria Express passenger ferry on Saturday was delayed until June 6, pending a mental health evaluation.

Steven Stan Hanseth was arrested on Saturday and is being held in the Clallam County jail on one count of making a threat to bomb or injure property.

Bail was set at $5,000.

He was scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon before Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brooke Taylor to enter a plea to the charge.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

But public defender Loren Oakley told Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brooke Taylor that there was reason to doubt Hanseth’s competency and added that no plea should be entered until that was resolved.

“Absolutely,” Taylor said.

The judge said he had ordered a mental health evaluation.

“I don’t know if it’s occurred.” he said.

“I’m not sure what can be done today. He’s in no condition to enter a plea.”

Taylor had Hanseth brought into the courtroom.

“I’ll do my best to explain what we are trying to do,” he said.

After Hanseth entered the courtroom, Taylor asked Hanseth if anyone had visited him in his jail cell.

His response was rambling and incoherent.

Taylor said that since neither an attorney nor a mental health counselor had had an opportunity to speak with Hanseth, the arraignment would be delayed for a week.

Hanseth made an initial court appearance on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Victoria Express owner Jack Harmon called Port Angeles police at 7:45 p.m. Saturday after a man entered his business and stated that he had placed a bomb aboard the passenger ferry.

After he left the Victoria Express office in The Landing Mall, Harmon followed him to a bus stop in the 200 block of East First Street where he was arrested.

No bomb was found aboard the ferry.

Hanseth gave police at least four aliases, according to court documents.

More in News

Mason Combs is 4 feet, 3 inches tall and has red hair, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Search underway for missing 10-year-old

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and partnering agencies are searching… Continue reading

Sequim research lab testing ways to use seaweed, resources

PNNL is only Department of Energy lab with marine facilities

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow visor, Sarah Maloy, left rear, Paulette De Llario, right rear, and Mary Claire Hunt, rear, helped clean up the Salish Coast Production Garden at the Salish Elementary School in Port Townsend on Saturday. The garden produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce used for the school lunches last year and farmers are aiming for 7,000 pounds in 2025. Hunt will be honored as a community health hero by the Jefferson County Public Health department for her efforts in bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate their crops to the Jefferson County food bank with a presentation on Thursday at the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garden cleanup

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow… Continue reading

Foundation purchases hospital equipment

Linear accelerator to be installed in May

Port Townsend updated on city’s workplan

Forty-five of 61 projects on track, city manager says

Welfare for Animals Guild receives $1,500 to provide spay and neuter services at the guild’s free veterinary clinics. Pictured, from left, are Laura Nieborsky, Barb Brabant, Emily Murphy and Mel Marshall.
Garden club makes donations through local grant program

The Port Angeles Garden Club has announced donations to… Continue reading

Facilities district for pool paused

Jefferson County does not receive grant

From left, Port Angeles school board members Sarah Methner, Mary Hebert, Stan Willams, Superintendent Marty Brewer, Kirsten Williams, Sandy Long and Nolan Duce, the district’s director of maintenance, turn the first shovel of dirt on Saturday at the location of the new construction just north of the present Stevens Middle School. An estimated crowd of 150 attended the ceremonial ground breaking. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles School District breaks ground at new middle school

Building is expected to open to students in 2027

Family displaced following house fire

A Clallam County family has been displaced due a… Continue reading

Two investigated for burglarizing home

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals… Continue reading

Beach cleanups set for Earth Day weekend

Beach cleanups, a seed exchange, seed planting and music will mark Earth… Continue reading

Easter egg hunts scheduled for Saturday

Easter activities, including egg hunts and pictures with the Easter bunny, are… Continue reading