A Juneau man was sentenced Monday to serve 27 months with 24 months suspended for a felony drug charge.
Juneau Superior Court Judge Louis Menendez imposed the sentence for James R. Hanson, 42, after accepting a plea deal reached with prosecutors. The deal requires Hanson to be on probation for three years.
Hanson was originally charged in August with one count of second-degree drug misconduct for allegedly possessing heroin with intent to deliver.
The plea agreement reduced that charge to fourth-degree drug misconduct, a class ‘C’ felony that carries a presumptive range of zero to two years in prison for first time felony offenders. Hanson changed his plea in November.
Prosecutors said a drug courier was stopped at Sea-Tac airport in Seattle, Wash., on the way to Juneau in early August, and informed law enforcement that he had been instructed to deliver one ounce of tar heroin to Hanson, according to an affidavit.
Law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery by replacing the heroin with sham narcotics and placing a representative sample of the heroin into a package, and having the courier-turned-police informant deliver it to Hanson in a Juneau hotel room. The affidavit states Hanson used the heroin, discovered it was fake and told the informant that he couldn’t make any money off it. Hanson was arrested shortly thereafter.
Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp told the judge that Hanson has been known locally by the police drug unit for a number of years, but he doesn’t have a felony conviction in Alaska.
Kemp added that Hanson has a prior felony out of Washington state, but it is outside the time frame to make Hanson a presumptive offender, which would allow more jail time.
Kemp noted it would not have been easy to prove at trial that Hanson intended to distribute the drugs.
Hanson’s attorney, Natasha Norris with the Office of Public Advocacy, said the state would have had a difficult time even proving the ‘possession’ element.
Norris said police did not place the representative sample of heroin in the package, like they said they did in the affidavit, which means Hanson was never actually in possession of heroin, only the sham narcotics.
Still, both attorneys said they thought the plea deal was a good resolution that adequately addressed what transpired in the case, and they urged the judge to accept it. The deal also required Hanson to admit to a sentencing aggravator.
Hanson has already served his three months in jail while the case was pending. He was additionally facing another drug charge in a separate case involving oxycodone pills, but those charges were dismissed, Norris said.
• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (34)
Add commentWhy do we keep giving these
Why do we keep giving these guys a slap on the wrist? Maybe we should replace the heroin with Draino so there is actually some consequence...
Draino
I really don't think Drano would hurt him, Is complete poison. Very interesting how JPG forgot to put the heroin Back into the package
It seems to me that they really dropped the ball there.
But I am glad it finally made it into newspaper some information about him.
Would this be considered perjury?
Norris said police did not place the representative sample of heroin in the package, like they said they did in the affidavit,
Can the police department me charged with perjury?
I am just curious. It seems rather unprofessional of them.
The dictionary
So then I had to go to the dictionary to look up the meaning of the word affidavit. According to Merriam Webster's dictionary The meaning I copy and paste.
: a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrate or officer.
Could somebody please clarify this for me thank you.
Cops lie.
It's legal for them. Their little entrapment scheme bit them in the arse. Instead of setting him up they could have let him hang himself. Junkies always do eventually.
Jim Hanson should be in jail
Jim Hanson should be in jail for a lot longer than this, and Juneau will suffer because he isn't. Watch.
I'm glad I don't live there anymore, he's a poison to everyone around him. Be careful people...
Great post, AlaskaMama08, you
Great post, AlaskaMama08, you are right on with that. Seems odd to me that:
"Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp told the judge that Hanson has been known locally by the police drug unit for a number of years, but he doesn’t have a felony conviction in Alaska."
It is amazing that everyone, including the police drug unit, know what a destructive and criminal person he is and yet he walks laughing all the way at everyone. He has a hand in damaging many young lives.
This is yet another joke of a "punishment". Thanks to law enforcement for screwing this one up. What is it going to take to put this guy where he belongs? They cannot even get it right when it is given to them on a silver platter.
I guess when a person or persons OD and die at his hands that maybe someone close to his world will finally cooperate and help get him of of Juneau's streets forever.
Again, Juneau sends a message that drug offenses are not taken that seriously.
Court records
I was wondering if I can go to the courthouse and get a copy of everything that was said in court. I was there I heard everything But I would like to have it on hard copy. Because they left out some interesting things. Does anybody know if I can obtain a copy of that?
I emailed every top dog at the Empire, And asked if they were going to cover the story. Because I am sick of him, Getting away with crimes and nothing is published or said about it.
I'm going to call the court clerk right now
Dirtbags
Here we go again folks. Procedural error, way to go law enforcement. What is it going to take to get these fricking pukes out of society anyhow?
Maybe
Some old school Justice.
And you know the real hoot! He has to obtain employment and maintain employment. He is 42 years old, I believe His only work history is what he is in trouble for.
Jim Hanson working a real job. I Must say. LMFAO!
Is that a condition of his
Is that a condition of his probation, to be gainfully employed? If so, you are right, what a hoot. I wonder how closely that will be monitored and how long he has to get an actual job. I also wonder how frequently he has to submit to urine samples, and how closely that is monitored. I certainly hope that is required as well. I can't see why it would not be. Point is, he should definitely screw up his probation and have to serve the remaining time but for some reason I have no faith in that system either.
Without doubt
He will somehow screw up his probation. For 1 thing employment
ha ha!!! That's a joke.
Also in court it was stipulated that the probation office have access to his cell phone and other phone records. His attorney protested this Vociferously. But the Judge insisted.
Strangely when the judge asked him if he had anything to say for himself he declined.
A dangerous man
"The further a society drifts from the truth, The more it will hate those that speak it." George Orwell
I do not care people hate the truth. I will continue to speak it openly loudly and right to their faces.
It's been in my character since I was child to be honest And speak out against injustice.
Sometimes people say that I mean.
But I say it isn't gossip if it is the truth.
@Dev_mom
You can get the record of the court proceeding. Go to the courthouse and down to the bottom floor to the Clerk of the court. Ask for a copy of Case # 1JU-12-00950CR. The clerk will make you a copy. They do charge for the copies (i forget how much)
@AH HA
Thank you I am on my way there right now. I read online that is only an small fee and is totally worth it for me to have. Even though I was there in person I still want to know and remember every word
Thank you
Dev_mom I'm honestly more
Dev_mom
I'm honestly more curious what your relationship with this dude is then the article? You've posted way too many times about the evils of this guy (not disputing) to not have something else going on. Especially when you were at the trial?
My relationship
Not that it's any of your business
. Is to make sure Jim Hanson, Gets the Justice do him. I am an observer, Watching and hoping that justice is executed in a reasonable fashion.
Do you know what he has done to my daughter? I don't believe you do.
He has physically beat her black and blue Repeatedly. Psychologically tormented her, Caused her to be in fear every moment of her life. While she was with him. He has used her as a mule. As a human shield. ie He held her in front of him while another man was trying to bear spray him. He would send on dangerous missions. Got her so strung out on heroin that Toward the end she told me the dark isn't working anymore mom. He would dangle the dope in front of her, He would go out and get her friends high and then come home and tell her about it. She was dope sick every day. Since she was 17 years old
In June she got blood poisoning and was admitted to Bartlett hospital. While she was in there very sick, He snuck in Heroin to the hospital shot her up causing her to OD and DIE! The staff at Bartlet was able to Narcan her back to life. She was so out of it that he was the only one allowed to have access to her. He owned her body and mind.
This is my only child whom I love like the sunshine.
When the bust started going down he sent her to the informant LP 45.
When you read his Facebook page. The informant And another former informant. Are all happy and Friendly with him wishing him happy Thanksgiving Mary Christmas happy new year.
None of these things are secret many many people know about this relationship and how he controlled and abused my child.
People hate the truth.
Have you got anymore questions?
I was not
At the trial. There was none
I was at the sentencing which is my right as A citizen of the state and a mother.
Pray your daughter sister grandchild is not his next victim. Because my child was not the first she was only one of many girls that he has used and destroyed.
Jim
NARCs never get more then 'time served' and a lil' slap n tickle from the courts!
@alaskastu
I have been awaiting your response to my comments.
Than I realized that yu probably gone home from your govement job where you while away the tax payers dollars, posting comments, & probably playing games on line. Maybe ever carrying on some flirtations.
You can get back tomorrow looking forward to it
3 days, no 3 hours would have
3 days, no 3 hours would have been a more appropriate punishment.
What?!?
You must be high! Ten years would have been appropriate!
Jim Hanson is a cancer
Jim Hanson is a cancer growing on our city. I absolutely know that what Dev_mom said is the TRUTH! He does control young women quite easily - they're terrified of him. He's a large, scary guy and he has been known to hold a gun on them. I am stunned at this light sentence. I am disgusted......
Milan Thomas
I am still waiting to see what kind of a sentence Milan Thomas gets. I hope it will be one similar to the one the man from Las Vegas got (ten years) for running a million dollars worth of oxy to AK, and not one like Jim Hanson got!
@JNUKara
Thank you JNUKara, for coming forward with the truth. So many people are afraid to speak the truth.
I miss my daughter every single day, But I wouldn't Have her back where she was for anything. I Visit her almost every single day. I sent her money every two weeks, She is working on getting into a treatment program. I will support her forever. Nobody has ever given me more joy then my daughter.
Why Hanson got such a small sentence. I will never understand.
Except that the Juneau Police Department Dropped the ball and screwed everything up.,
I am sure they would have him outside so he can get smalltime children
I want you to know my daughter is Handling this as a strong woman would. She blames only herself For the position that she is in
I have never been more proud of her in my whole life then I am today
Just a fun three party agreement in the courtroom. ABOUT DRUGS!
I reread the article after reading all of the comments. Emily wrote the words "law enforcement" not JPD, SPD, Homeland Security, or the FBI.
Which one or ones of "law enforcement" are arguing with both Angie Kemp and Natasha Norris? Blameology - blame the drug bust or blame the lawyers.
It sounds like it was the LAWYERS and MENENDEZ that agreed to let Hanson go with time served.
MOSES - A REMINDER: I asked the Juneau Empire a while ago to chart the drug cases since it appeared to me that Menendez is a light sentencing judge.
Keystone cops in a town not much bigger than a village
That about sums it up...
They wanna be city cops but fall so short.
Dev-Mom
You had me until you decided to insult government employees for no apparant reason.
Your an angry person, perhaps justified, but instead of letting it eat you up be there in a positive way. But you went from a justifiably angry Mom to an angry person who simply attacks everything. You lost credibility. Sorry for you but more sorry for your daughter.
Hey Empire, after sentencing dont you think this guy would lose the "alleged" tag?
JPD had screwed up more drug busts than any keystone cop department. How many times have they performed exactly as described here and let another drug kingpin loose to continue spreading thier poison? Is it incompetance or who has the most $$ to spread around?
And the justice system here is laughable.
Not sure what you're talking about
Slegnawons,
Was it when I insinuated that the Juneau Police Department had perjured himself on the affidavit.
Or when Alaskastu, Question me on my relationship with James Hanson. I'm sorry you are so easily offended by the truth. It is common knowledge that many city state borough employees Use their work computers for other things. You can hate me all you want Your opinion means nothing to me. I am a seeker of the truth.
And I did not insult all state employees I just insulted the one that asked me a question.
Maybe I'll do a poll and see who post during the weekdays Between the hours of nine and five. And compare those with the numbers of people that post throughout the whole day and night
Dev_mom
Thanks, its also common knowledge that hateful people are just that haters.
Haters also tend to hide behind statements like "I tell it like it is", "The truth hurts", "I dont care what you say, you cant handle the truth". Thats also common knowledge
Haters tend to drive those that they love away and oftimes into dangerous situations thats also common knowledge.
If my opinion means nothing to you why the repsonse?
A hater is a hater and there is little cure so dont fight it. You seem good at it.
You have a great day. Hear? 8)