Plea deal struck in Sagle thefts

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man implicated in a series of burglaries perpetrated across the Sagle area this year has entered into a plea agreement to resolve three criminal cases, 1st District Court records show.

Spencer Thomas James faced charges of grand theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, grand theft by possession, burglary and possession of methamphetamine in connection with residential and commercial break-ins this summer.

Under the terms of the agreement with the state, James will plead guilty to one county of burglary and one count of grand theft. In exchange for dismissing the balance of the charges, James has agreed to reveal the location of all outstanding property taken during what’s referred to as a the “Sagle Burglary Series,” according to court documents.

James must also reveal the location of firearms taken during the burglaries, although he will not be granted immunity if it’s determined any of the firearms had been involved in other criminal activities.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dan Rodriguez said in court documents that he cannot shield James from federal prosecution for firearms violations, court records indicate.

There are no sentencing recommendations in the case.

Burglary is punishable by one to 10 years in prison, while grand theft is punishable by one to 14 years, according to Idaho Code.

James, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.