Pullman man allegedly punches deputy

PULLMAN - A Pullman man reportedly punched a deputy after arguing with his parents on the day after Christmas.

Julian C. Lester, 39, of Pullman, is charged with felony assault in the third degree in Whitman County Superior Court, and his arraignment is set for Jan. 7.

Whitman County sheriff's deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a domestic dispute on Whelan Road in Pullman on Dec. 26. A man said his adult son was drunk and knocking things down while yelling, according to court records.

Lester was allegedly yelling at his mother, insulting her, when the deputies arrived. The deputies tried to walk Lester outside and were planning on getting the man evaluated at a hospital. Instead, he advanced on a deputy twice and the deputy held him back.

"(He) balled his hands into fists and punched me in the stomach," wrote a deputy.

Lester was arrested and taken to Pullman Regional Hospital for an evaluation. Staff drew Lester's blood.

"(His) blood-alcohol level was .460," a deputy wrote. It was more than five times the legal driving limit of 0.08.

Lester was later booked into the Whitman County Jail.