Suspect enters plea in break-in case

SANDPOINT — Faced with a new suite of criminal charges, a Bonner County man implicated in break-ins at a storage unit business entered a plea on Wednesday.

Daniel James Springsteel entered an Alford plea to a charge of grand theft by possession of stolen property. Under the terms of the plea, Springsteel admits no wrongdoing, but said in court documents that he feared he would be convicted on circumstantial evidence if his case went before a jury.

Springsteel, 25, is slated to be sentenced on the felony charge on Feb. 18, 2010, in 1st District Court. Springsteel’s plea will be regarded as a plea of guilt during the hearing.

Springsteel faces up to 14 years in prison, although the state is recommending a term of two to four years. The defense, meanwhile, is free to lobby for a lesser sentence.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall put Springsteel on notice that the state would seek additional charges of accessory to burglary and unlawful possession of firearms. The state also planned to seek further charges of suborning perjury and witness tampering, according to court documents.

Marshall said in court records that phone calls and correspondence had been intercepted which indicated Springsteel sought to persuade an accomplice to provide false court testimony.

The accomplice, Michael David Gutierrez, is charged with burglarizing several units at A-Aaron’s Mini Storage in Sandpoint.

Tools, sporting goods and home electronics were reported stolen in the late-October break-ins.

Gutierrez awaits arraignment in district court.