Prison ordered in burglaries

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man who relapsed on drugs and embarked on single-handed crime spree to feed his addiction was given a last chance Tuesday to avoid a lengthy prison term.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan ordered Jason Lee Williams to serve up to five years in prison, but retained jurisdiction over the defendant. That means he’ll serve up to a year in prison before a decision is made to put Williams on probation or require him to serve the underlying sentence.

Williams burglarized four homes, a workshop and an antique shop, resulting in six counts of burglary and six counts of grand theft. Williams committed the thefts last autumn and was caught in the act by one

startled homeowner, to whom he simply said, “ma’am,” before calmly driving away.

In exchange for pleas of guilt to the felony theft charges, the burglary charges were dismissed, according to the terms of a plea agreement.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Roger Hanlon and Deputy Public Defender Dan Taylor recommended retained jurisdiction, court records show.

Williams apologized to his victims and told Buchanan he wished to move on with his life, records further show.

Buchanan adopted the attorneys’ recommendations.

“I believe the therapeutic community may be the best for you,” Buchanan said, referring to the retained jurisdiction program, also known as a rider.

Williams was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims, although a hearing on the amount will be held after he returns from prison for a rider review.

Buchanan also ordered Williams to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma.

Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on two counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary on Tuesday in Kootenai County. He committed those offenses last October, around the time of his offenses in Bonner County.