Judge approves stipulated continuance for Raymond Angel Cruz until June 2, 2027

A magistrate in Lake Forest Park Municipal Court on March 5 approved a stipulated order of continuance in the case of defendant Raymond Angel Cruz, continuing the matter to June 2, 2027.

The agreement, described in court as a stipulation by both parties, requires Cruz to comply with a list of conditions meant to avoid trial and lead to dismissal if met. Those conditions include no new criminal law violations, no contact with the alleged victim (identified in court as Issa Okwist), enrollment in a mental-health evaluation within 60 days, completion of recommended treatment with at least twice-monthly sessions, signing releases of information for treatment providers, monthly compliance reports to the court, submission of a DNA sample if not already provided, and payment of court costs including a probation monitoring fee and court administration fee.

The magistrate explained that if Cruz complies with the conditions, the city will move to dismiss the charge with prejudice on June 2, 2027; if he violates the conditions before that date, the city may ask the court to submit the case on the record and seek a finding of guilt based on the police report. The court emphasized that the stipulated process waives certain trial rights while it is in effect, and the defendant acknowledged understanding and adopted the written stipulation as his signature.

Court staff said a probation officer, Charles Mitchell, will monitor compliance; paperwork and contact information for Mitchell will be mailed to Cruz, and the defendant was instructed to contact Mitchell promptly. The magistrate directed that the probation office receive monthly compliance reports and that any failure to comply could trigger a hearing on revocation of the stipulated order.

The court record shows the magistrate found a stipulated order of continuance appropriate and entered the continuance to June 2, 2027.