Hi there, my name is Marissa Hagan. I am making this in hopes to help my neighbor, Mike.

A Centralia man faces felony charges after he allegedly sprayed a deputy with a garden hose.

According to prosecutors, the deputy was attempting to evict the 71-year-old from his property.

Michael Rajic is charged with one count of third-degree assault, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Rajic was released from custody on a $20,000 unsecured bond following a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.

He is not allowed to have contact with the property while the case is pending.

During the hearing, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson said that Rajic’s criminal history was limited, but noted a prior conviction for unlawful display of a firearm. Rajic also has a related conviction for obstructing a law enforcement officer, according to court documents.

Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said that Rajic did not have any previous felonies or failures to appear in court, and added that the “underlying allegation” was that Rajic assaulted an officer by spraying a garden hose.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase and a deputy arrived at Rajic’s home on April 17 to execute a writ of restitution, or court-ordered eviction.

The deputy had previously posted the eviction notice on April 7, which reportedly said the property had to be vacated before midnight on April 15.

Frase knocked on the front door and received no answer, despite seeing a truck registered to Rajic that was parked in the driveway behind a locked gate. The deputies cut the lock and walked to the back of the home, where they saw Rajic “standing in the doorway of the back patio enclosure,” according to the affidavit. Rajic allegedly ignored Frase’s request to talk and “exited the doorway and ran south.”

“Chief Frase slowly ran behind Rajic telling him he could leave the property, and he was not allowed back at the property,” the affidavit says.

At that point, Rajic allegedly stopped, picked up a “pre-charged” garden hose, and moved toward the deputies. According to the affidavit, Frase told Rajic not to spray the hose. Rajic did not comply. Instead, he allegedly sprayed the other deputy with the hose while he continued to move “aggressively” toward the deputy. Unsure if Rajic was armed with a weapon, Frase deployed his Taser on the 71-year-old.

Rajic — and the hose — fell to the ground.

“The deputies were able to gain control of Rajic and place him into custody,” the affidavit says.

Rajic is scheduled for an arraignment on April 30.

So freaking sad. How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot?!

You see, Mike has some sort of a tick, so he always sways when he's talking or fidgets a bit. He can walk a straight line, but when he's passionate about something he's trying to express, he tends to stutter and almost give up completely on the whole conversation. There have been times where I just put my hand on his shoulder and would say, "It's OK, Mike, deep breaths..." He'd look at me and say, "You could see I was losing it there for a minute, huh?" I'd say, "Yep, but you got it." You see, we didn't always get along. Once I moved in a little over 5 years ago, we butted heads a little because I didn't know him, so I instantly had labeled him as odd and kept my distance. Well, one summer day he walked over and asked if I was interested in buying one of his old lawn mowers. It still runs perfect and for a steal of a deal, $50. I would have been an idiot to turn it down. Then from there on, we were friends. He had the absolute most beautiful lawn and garden, rows of orange star lilies, all sorts of wildflowers, just absolutely beautiful, and you could sure tell he took pride in it. He would blow all the crap out from everyone's yard, well just the houses on our dead end... he'd sweep up all the pine needles/cones every other day that would fall from the huge Sequoias lining the road. He just liked things looking neat and truly cared. Every single Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes Saturday evening (depending if his freezer was stocked up), he'd bring my boys and me Frostys from Wendy's. He'd take some to my neighbor Miss Nancy too. Like clockwork, every single Tues., Thurs., Sat.... Wendy's was the only place cheap enough for him to have dinner and get dessert too. Even though he was on a budget, he never stopped thinking of us. Truly breaks my heart. He is the only person that had taken the time outside my own family to talk to me about God and Jesus... could you believe that? *Jehovahs witness turned Christian* Yeah, me either :), but he did, and we grew very fond of him, saw him as an extra great grandpa.

You know, before this, he had told me his plan, and it was to die. He was hoping they'd mistake the water hose for a gun and be done with him.... I cried right there and told him, "But Mike, we all would miss you so much..." He replied, "Well, that's very kind of you, but I'd rather die than go to jail." He had nobody. So before he left, I made sure I hugged him tight and told him I loved him. Thanked him for the time he took to get to know us. He thanked me for our friendship and how much it meant to him. I thought this was the last time I'd talk to him. It was devastating... but honestly, could you blame him at that age? WTF... like he's not a spring chicken anymore; he can't just start over. Please, if you will, pray for him. If praying isn't your thing, think kind things for him and the long journey ahead. It takes a village, and this villager needs your help. Mike would never ask anything from anyone, but alone he will not win this battle. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Shares, donations, word of mouth, absolutely anything will help.

With love,

Marissa Hagan.