Squatter To Make Plea Agreement

DAYTON - Dayton's alleged elusive squatter-burglar Daniel Baxter has reached a plea agreement with the prosecutor's office that will put him in prison for 40 months.

According to Columbia County Prosecutor Rea Culwell, the state and Baxter, with his attorney Andrea Burkhart, reached a plea agreement last week. The agreement says Baxter will plead guilty to seven of his 28 total burglary-related charges. Culwell said he will plead guilty to making false or misleading statements to a law enforcement officer, five counts of residential burglary and one count of burglary in the second degree.

Burkhart said Baxter will enter his new plea at 1:30 p.m. on June 7 in the Columbia County Courthouse. She said she had no further comment on the case.

Baxter, age 34, was arrested in early February after eluding the police and squatting in vacant homes in Dayton for months. Police began searching for the squatter, expected to be a transient man, last summer. In October, in addition to breaking into homes and staying the night, items began to be reported stolen, according to law enforcement.

Baxter, described as a drifter with ties to California, Montana and Pennsylvania, is being held in Columbia County jail on $250,000 bond. His bench trial was set to begin on May 30.

Charging documents on the case charged Baxter with burglarizing homes on East Clay Street, East Spring Street, West Main Street, South Fourth Street, South Second Street and East Whitman Street. He is charged with stealing and possessing items including a laptop computer and other computers, game camera, mason jars, vitamins, tan boots, DVR, food, candles, encyclopedia volumes, computer printer, books and a wall heater.

"It was a difficult case for all parties involved, we believe, including the court," Culwell said. "On one side, (Baxter) placed our community in fear for over a sixmonth period, specifically harming the victims whose homes he had invaded. On the other side, the evidence showed that the defendant had no intention of physically harming anyone."

Culwell said the case became more complicated to prosecute because it is "apparent" Baxter has signs of mental illness.

"Though he knew the crimes were wrong and he was competent to stand trial, he consistently displayed behavior that indicated it is practically impossible for him to be a successful part of any community," she said.

Culwell said Baxter could have received as little as no jail time because this was his first offense or he could have spent more than 70 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.

Through the plea agreement, with the time in Columbia County jail already served since February, Baxter would serve about three more years in prison if he does plead guilty on June 7.

Culwell said a plea agreement in this case had benefits for the state. This agreement makes sure Baxter could not be found not guilty of any of the charges he faces, she said.

"With a plea agreement, the state assured that the defendant took responsibility for his actions, was held accountable for his actions and agreed to pay restitution to all victims for all actions," Culwell said.

Much of the property stolen by Baxter was recovered and he will be required to pay for all other damages, she added.