Man sentenced to 9 months for robberies of Subway restaurants
Published Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Stumble It!A man accused of robbing two Subway restaurants last year has been sentenced to nine months in jail.
Justin Thomerson, 21, pleaded no contest to one charge of second-degree theft, a felony, as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The district attorney agreed to dismiss multiple charges of theft, burglary and assault in exchange for the plea.
In addition, prosecutors will not pursue punishment against Thomerson for violating his probation. Thomerson was on probation for felony assault during the time the robberies and burglaries of several homes in the area allegedly took place.
Brynn Ploetz, an acquaintance of Thomerson, said the sentence has made her lose faith in the justice system.
“I’m appalled,” Ploetz said following the hearing. “He’s a very dangerous person.”
Ploetz said she was with Thomerson and Benjamin Skinner, 28, when the pair planned the restaurant robberies and that Thomerson returned to her house afterward. Skinner was sentenced to more than seven years in prison last week after pleading no contest to one count of armed robbery. Ploetz has not been charged.
Fairbanks police believe Skinner and Thomerson are responsible for the August robberies of Espresso Yourself Coffee on College Road and the Subway robberies, which occurred on consecutive nights.
In addition, authorities suspect the pair committed at least four burglaries in the Fairbanks area between August and October. Cash, weapons, jewelry and electronics were the primary targets in those break-ins. Authorities believe the two men were selling or trading the items to acquaintances for drugs.
Ploetz said she fears for her safety with Thomerson on the streets again, and Superior Court Judge Mark I. Wood directed him to avoid contact with her and her immediate family as a condition of his release. Thomerson has been in custody since October and will be released in a matter of weeks.
Wood appeared surprised when prosecutors asked for the nine-month sentence and held a brief private conference with both attorneys to discuss the agreement.
“The look on (Wood’s) face said it all,” Ploetz said.
The presumptive minimum sentence for second-degree theft is between three and five years in prison.
“There were significant evidentiary problems and problems with the witness’ believability,” Thomerson’s attorney, Lori Bodwell, told the court. “It was very difficult to prove a lot of the charges implicating Mr. Thomerson.”
Bodwell declined to talk about the terms of the agreement following the hearing.
Community Discussion
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This is one of the most disturbing articles I’ve read in a long time – well, at least since the Brian Galbraith article. In this article, the defendant’s attorney cites: “Significant evidentiary problems” as the justification for the light sentencing. Looking back at Galbraith’s case, the judge claimed the prosecution did not provide reasonable evidence that Galbraith was competent to stand trial.
Who’s dropping the ball at the District Attorney’s office??? And who’s responsible for oversight???
Or who did thomerson roll on... The story might not be over with.
It seems to me that in our "justice system" the worse repeat offenders get off with little or no sentences and those with non violent crimes and those with no criminal pattern get slapped with more harsh sentences. What is up with that? Is it that the real criminals know how to work the system? Are the real criminals more willing to make deals to rat on others for deals than more honest people?
Did anyone read the article recently in the Anchorage paper that shows the US has more people in prison per capata than any other nation on earth? Other industrial countries are appalled at the criminal justice system and sentencing in this country. It was a very eye opening article. One small country with a population on 30,000 had only 1 person in prison while in this country there is 1 to every 100 people. It seems Alaska's prisons are more full of people serving time for lesser crimes and probation violations than repeat worse offenders too.
Nine months for robbery (armed?).... and a friend of mine got 12 months for furnishing alcohol to a (20 yo) minor?? He had no previous criminal history, either. What the heck!
Remember, Skinner got 7 years. Why is no one applauding that? It seems like they got that one right.
9 months, sounds like two semesters of free schooling in crime with free room and board. Hope we don't read this guys name in the paper again......................
Is he related to the judge or what?
bike builder,
you might be right, i spoke too soon.
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aksheep --
What was it I heard? He was originally charged with 21 felonies, he's already a double felon, and he's only doing 9 months? Is that correct?
Boy, isn't this war on (some) drugs a wonderful thing?
*shakes head*
i am very disturbed by the fact that this guy will be out on the street in a matter of weeks. i bet by the end of summer this same person will be up for arraignment for another equally heinous crime. which one of us will be the victim of that one? it is kind of like russian roulette, eh?
If you look at this case closely the DA did a smart thing. They thad no evidence against Thomerson. He had an aliby for all but one of the charges.
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9 months? He will be framing this judgement and pasting it on the wall on his way to Subway, very soon. Thanks DA!
Thomerson was not the person holding the gun. Where is aksheep getting her information? Perhaps its the story that covers her and her boyfriend (skinner) best?
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Girls, there are a lot of moral men out there. Why do you need to be with felons?
i am in agreement w/Imusuallyright. Miss Kitty's point shows how messed up the system is- 12 months for furnishing alchohal to a 20 y/o? Old enough to die for country and vote-Should be old enough to drink "adult beverages"
I am not someone who is dating this individual. I just think that someone needs to know that rest of this story. I'm tired of opening my paper or turning on my news and seeing this woman portrayed as a victim when she is not!
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Please refrain from making anonymous accusations against individuals. I have removed several posts that did so.
Thanks
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should have a censored page and an uncensored page.
let hibert speek! free speech!
I agree with AR_85
It has been my experience over 30 years here that the NEWSMINER will not publish your editor letter if they don't agree...So, don't be suprised that they do the same thing on the WEB.
Have an ADULT ONLY warning page so we can say it our way.@#%&%#@
Sorry, we just can't allow anonymous, unverified accusations against an individual. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at internet@newsminer.com.