CENTRAL KITSAP – Two suspects are now in custody as a result of a late night investigation June 4-5 into allegations of severe physical abuse, unlawful imprisonment and robbery.
Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives developed probable cause to make the arrests after they learned of two victims who were apparently not able to easily break-free from their captors.
According to a felony complaint filed in the Kitsap County District Court, Julian Franco Jr., 43, of Central Kitsap, was arrested by Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputies June 5 and charged with three counts of first-degree assault. The charges include special allegations of deliberate cruelty and because the victim was particularly vulnerable due to having Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that causes brain cells to degrade over time, impairing motor function and decision making ability.
Franco had been booked on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and unlawful imprisonment. Bail was set at $1 million.
The second suspect, Zachri Jon Armour, 29, a Bremerton area transient, was arrested for his complicity in the assault and robbery. He was charged with two counts of assault in the first degree, special allegation deliberate cruelty and particularly vulnerable victim.
Around 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, a sheriff’s patrol deputy responded to a local church on State Highway 303 NE, in Central Kitsap, concerning a severely injured 52-year-old man who was found in a parking lot. The man said he had been assaulted by one of the suspects on or near property in the 6500 block of Graceland Road NE, in Central Kitsap.
The man was transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for evaluation and treatment.
The 52-year-old man claimed that he was able to flee the property when Franco passed out from ingesting methamphetamine. But the victim was later found hiding in a wooded area and punched and stomped on his head, possibly by Franco, causing his eyes to swell shut. The man managed to make his way to the church to get help.
This victim told KCSO that another victim, a 37-year-old man, was being held against his will at the property and was being abused by Franco.
Upon arriving at the Graceland Road address, Sheriff’s patrol deputies found the second victim lying on the ground, badly injured. He was transported by medic unit to Harrison Medical Center ER for evaluation and treatment. The extent of his injuries included skull and facial fractures, a cervical spine fracture and multiple broken ribs. Other injuries included burns on the man’s legs and feet and lacerations to his upper body.
Sheriff’s detectives were able to determine that Franco had threatened the 37-year-old man with a firearm and also with the possibility of sexual assault. Systematically, over several days, Franco assaulted the man with his fists and feet, and a variety of objects, tools, tree branches, a rubber hose and a type of wooden spindle. It was learned that the victim was burned with a torch and a knife was used to inflict the lacerations, and had been shot at close range with an Airsoft pistol or BB gun.
At one point, this victim was left outside without clothing for more than a day, unable to care for himself.
Franco apparently had been extorting the victim for money and medication as well as gaining access to the victim’s cell phone, debit card and electronic benefits transfer card.
Armour told deputies Franco had flashed a gun around, but said Franco later told him he lost the weapon. A detective found 4-6 rounds of 9mm ammunition in Franco’s clothing.
When detectives asked Armour why the victim didn’t just walk away, Armour said he thought is was like Stockholm Syndrome, and that Franco would not have let them leave anyway.
A search warrant was served on the property and evidence was collected.
Persons with information about this investigation are asked to contact Det. Tim Keeler at 360-337-4825. Reference KCSO report number K15-005316.
