Prosecutors Desk 5-1-11

RUPERT SALMON pleaded guilty on Friday April 1, 2011 to Theft in the First Degree with Aggravating Circumstances (the amount of money involved was greater than typical for this offense).  The charges arose out of the fact that in the summer of 2009, Mr. Salmon accepted money from a woman who wanted him to hold it for her and her family until they found a home to buy.  Later, when she requested the money, Mr. Rupert returned less than 1/3 of the $90,000.  Mr. Salmon had used the money he had been entrusted with for himself.  Mr. Salmon was sentenced on Tuesday, April 26 to 18 months in prison.  The Standard Range for the offense was 0-90 days, but the aggravating circumstances justified this exceptional sentence.

DOUGLAS R. PITTS and CHRISTIE S. SANFORD went to trial on April 6-8 on charges of Malicious Mischief in the Second Degree, for damages they did to a rental property in Kettle Falls.  Deputy Prosecutor Matt Enzler presented evidence to the jury that beginning in April of 2009, when they rented the property, the home was in good condition.  The home was still in good condition during the start of an eviction process in the spring of 2010, but in August of 2010, when an order of eviction was served by the Stevens County Sheriff, the home was found to have been trashed, with carpets soiled, drains plugged, walls marked/marred, doors damaged, and filth strewn about the home.  The cases against Ms. Sanford and Mr. Pitts were joined for trial, and both were convicted by the jury.  Sentencing took place on April 26.  Douglas Pitts was sentenced to 90 days, the maximum allowed by law. Ms. Sanford had her sentencing hearing continued, due to extenuating circumstances.  A restitution hearing will also be scheduled.

Last week, Federal Agents assisted by Stevens County Sherriff deputies conducted a search of a Loon Lake Marijuana dispensary which was also an illegal growing operation.  This was done after letters from the United States Attorney’s office in Spokane were sent to property owners where the illegal sales operations were conducted.  The search resulted in hundreds of plants seized, several weapons, and the seizure of the records and books of the operation.  Arrests were made and the subjects will face both State and Federal charges as well as Federal civil forfeiture proceedings.  At the same time, similar raids were conducted in Spokane.  The United States Attorney indicated in the news media that there will be additional investigations conducted. The Kettle falls dispensary in no longer in operation.

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