Court News - July 8, 2015

Sentencing/Resolution:

Bobby G. Burgess, 49, Kennewick; sentenced to serve 40 months in state prison following guilty plea entered on charge of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Additional charges of second-degree criminal trespass and second-degree unlawful transportation of fish or wildlife dropped as part of plea agreement.

Joshua A. Roska, 33, Dayton; sentenced to serve one day in county jail, with credit for time served, for possession of a dangerous weapon. Roska was originally charged with possession of a stolen firearm and three counts of possession of dangerous weapons.

Desiree D. Klein, 36, Dayton; sentenced to serve a total of 18 months and one day in state prison following a guilty plea on the charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and child endangerment with a controlled substance. Klein signed a plea agreement in June in which the prosecutor’s office recommended residential DOSA (Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative). This would have kept Klein from serving any prison time provided she complete a drug-treatment program. During sentencing, however, Klein told the judge she would rather take the prison term.

First Appearance/Arraignment:

John E. Stearns, 58, Waitsburg; first appearance on charges of second-degree rape, a Class A felony, and second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Stearns is accused of having sex in February with an adult female in Dayton who the prosecutor alleges was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. He is also accused of illegally using this same female’s state Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, card in April. Stearns is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail.

Curtis A. Jones, 31, Hermiston; formally arraigned on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and trespassing. Jones entered a not-guilty plea to all charges.

Brandon W. John, 32, Dayton; formally arraigned on two charges of first-degree escape, a Class B felony. John, who was sentenced to prison and treatment last year after being locally convicted of arson, is accused of leaving the treatment center in January to get a beer and not immediately reporting to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly left the center again a few days later. John pleaded not guilty to both charges. The state requested bond be set at $100,000 because John was loose for 22 days before being arrested; the prosecutor also alleged he is a risk to the community. John’s defense attorney successful argued for a lower bond amount. John is currently out of jail on a $25,000 bond.

Zachary T. Koehler, 28, College Place; formally arraigned on charge of second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Koehler was allegedly involved in the theft of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. Koehler entered a not-guilty plea to the charge and was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Trials Set:

Dante A. Brown, 19, Dayton; charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Brown is currently housed in the Columbia County Jail, bail set at $50,100.

Other Legal Action:

Joshua J. Berdar, 24, Spokane Valley; charged with obtaining a legend (prescription) drug (oxycodone) by fraud. Trial was set for July, but the defense attorney reported having had no recent contact with Berdar and withdrew from the case. The judge revoked Berdar’s bond.