West Seattle arrest ends near-decade search for WA’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitive
Apr 3, 2026, 6:54 AM | Updated: 1:35 pm
Jerry Denson, 36, arrested in West Seattle after being on Washington's Most Wanted list for nearly a decade. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
(Photo courtesy of WSP)
A suspect on Washington’s Most Wanted list from nearly a decade ago was finally taken into custody after evading arrest for years.
Jerry Denson, 36, was arrested in West Seattle on April 2, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). On March 17, 2017, more than nine years ago, Denson allegedly drove under the influence and crashed his car on I-5 in Kent. A 28-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
After he failed to appear in court in October 2017, a warrant for his arrest was issued.
WSP detectives, the Organized Crime Intel Unit, and the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force worked together over the past few months to narrow down his whereabouts and take him into custody.
“No matter how much time passes, we will continue to pursue those who evade accountability for serious crimes,” Trisena Sharff, Captain of the Washington State Patrol’s Criminal Investigative Division, stated in a press release addressing Denson’s arrest. “Today’s arrest is the result of relentless investigative work and strong partnerships, and we hope it brings some measure of justice to the Brannon family.”
Benson is being held on $100,000 bail.
Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.
