Winlock man accused of rape in 2023 arrested on warrant and released

By Emily Fitzgerald / [email protected]

A Winlock man accused of raping a woman in Centralia in 2023 was arrested this week and released on $20,000 unsecured bail after failing to appear at a preliminary hearing on May 14.

Lewis County prosecutors filed second-degree assault charges April 11 against 18-year-old Tyson Bonds for allegedly raping a woman in her apartment after she invited him over in August 2023, court documents show.

Initial DNA testing by the Washington State Patrol crime lab failed to identify a suspect in the rape, but further testing showed that Bonds’ DNA was present in the sex offender kit turned in by the victim, according to court documents.

Judge J. Andrew Toynbee issued a $50,000 arrest warrant for Bonds after Bonds failed to appear at a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on May 14.

Court records show Bonds was arrested on that warrant on Sunday, May 19.

His preliminary hearing was held Monday, May 20, in Lewis County Superior Court, where defense attorney Rachael Tiller explained that the court summons was sent to the wrong address.

Judge James Lawler then allowed Bonds to be released from jail on $20,000 unsecured bail.

The arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, May 23.

There is a no contact order in place to protect the victim.