Vandals get six months for spree
Two young men will serve six months in jail for their part in a summer vandalism and theft spree that caused nearly $20,000 in damage at a Juneau middle school.
Michael Johnson, 19, pleaded guilty Monday in Juneau Superior Court to a felony charge of second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor charge of first-degree criminal trespass stemming from a string of summer burglaries at Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School.
The original charges included third-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree theft, both misdemeanors. Both charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement between defense attorney Dan Wayne and Assistant District Attorney Doug Gardner.
Wayne could not be reached for comment by the Empire's midday deadline.
Recently, another of the suspects, Lloyd George, 20, pleaded guilty to felony second-degree burglary and misdemeanor fourth-degree theft stemming from the spree.
The original charges against George were the same as Johnson's with the criminal trespass and mischief charges dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
"What I did was pretty stupid and I've learned my lesson very well," testified George at his sentencing hearing Friday.
Both men received six months to serve in jail with three years of probation. If each successfully completes probation, the convictions will be set aside.
"It was important that everyone involved realize the serious nature of their conduct," Gardner said in an interview. "Six months to serve on a property offense is quite a substantial amount of time in this state."
Police also arrested five juveniles last summer in connection with the crimes at the school stemming from offenses of June 20, July 24 and 29 and Aug. 11.
The teens' names were not released. Gardner declined comment on the specifics of their cases, but said they were "in the juvenile justice system as the Superior Court judges deemed appropriate."
The young people were accused of breaking into the school through a window; spray-painting walls; stealing money, food and property from teachers; and, destroying a computer and several windows.
All of the young people involved in the case will split the cost of about $19,700 in restitution to the school. Further, the two men are required as part of their sentences to write letters of apology to the school and the superintendent.
Melanie Plenda can be reached at mplenda@juneauempire.com.