EVERETT — A man accused of swinging a large knife at people near the Everett Gospel Mission last month has a lengthy criminal history that dates back decades.
Prosecutors allege that Thomas Wenger, 46, assaulted three people Dec. 10, including two men from a church group who were handing out food to homeless in the area. The attacks were unprovoked, witnesses told Everett police officers.
Wenger now is charged with second-degree assault. Prosecutors asked that he be held on $20,000 bail, citing the Everett man’s previous convictions and the more than 50 past bench warrants judges issued when Wenger failed to show up for court hearings.
Wenger was convicted of drug possession in 2012 and sentenced to a year in jail. He has felony convictions for forgery, burglary and unlawful gun possession. Wenger also has 48 misdemeanor convictions.
Prosecutors allege that he terrorized three people last month. Wenger allegedly pushed one man to the ground and swung a knife at his face several times before the man could escape.
A second man reported that he and his church group were down near the Mission providing food to transients when he was attacked. He first saw the defendant punch his friend in the face after the man offered Wenger some food.
That man declined to provide police with a statement.
The other man reported that Wenger swung a knife at him when he attempted to help his friend up after being punched. He told police he feared for his life.
Wenger allegedly admitted to pushing several people while he was holding a knife but denied that he swung the weapon at anyone, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Toni Montgomery wrote in court papers.
Officers patted Wenger down before his arrest and reportedly found a large knife in his pants.
Business owners and neighbors near the men’s shelter have complained to police and city council members about a spike in assaults, drug deals, and trespassing in the area. Everett police officers stepped up patrols, making dozens of arrests. Officers also are teamed up with a county social worker to offer services to those in need.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
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