In November 2013, defendant Brice Lee McKinnon was sentenced to 80 months in state prison following his conviction on five counts of arson.
Moving forward from 2013 to 2017, McKinnon was released from state prison on January 26, 2017 subject to local parole supervision.
Taking a chance on a convicted felon, the owners of the Village Market in Willits hired McKinnon as a store cashier.
To repay this kindness, McKinnon began stealing money from the cash drawer and taking Lottery scratchers. He would cash the winning scratchers that he had stolen from the Village Market inventory at other stores in and around Willits.
Following a criminal investigation undertaken by the Willits Police Department, the District Attorney brought formal charges against McKinnon, now 26 years of age. On June 6, 2017, McKinnon admitted having committed felony grand theft and stipulated to a new state prison sentence of 48 months. He will be formally sentenced on July 21st at 9 o'clock in the morning in Department H of the Ukiah courthouse. Anybody interested in this case or this defendant is welcome to attend that sentencing hearing.
The prosecutor handling this case is District Attorney David Eyster. The investigating law enforcement agencies were the Willits Police Department and the District Attorney's own investigators. The plea was entered before the Honorable John Behnke and Judge Behnke will preside over the July 21st sentencing hearing.
the Humboldt County Parole/ Probation department is a JOKE! A family member, who was never before in trouble, got himself in a stupid spot, did something stupid, to make a long story shot- ended up on adult supervised probation... He started with 2 x week visits, which quickly changed to once a month, then to every other month a phone call... this young man would have benefited from some supervision, is now on drugs and homeless... His PO was notified many times, but doesn't give a shit, cause "they are busy"... SAD , there is no help for the first time offenders to stay out of trouble. then when they reoffend, the POs act surprised! what a looser system
ReplyDeleteMary S., No matter what you think this is a grown man. Lack of supervision didn't cause his situation. It was caused because he is a criminal. Make all the excuses you want. He is where he is because of his choices. Nothing more or less.Sorry for being so blunt but He is responsible for his actions!!!
Deletethis is true, but maybe if the PO had done the job the judge told them to do (bi weekly visits) he would not have had the chance to fk up
DeleteI work with Humboldt county probation & drug court. these people have massive case loads & do everything they can to help these people. they are sent to rehab, they are tested, they are given job training & help finding employment, they even help pay for housing... if someone isn't getting the help they need its because they aren't taking the steps they are supposed to. you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink.
ReplyDeletedon't blame the overworked & underpaid probation & parole departments, they do all they can to help.
drug tested... yah right... they also teach you how to lie there? maybe just how to make good excuses as to why you don't do your job.
DeleteIf the job is too much... QUIT... if you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen. pretty simple. do the job or get out! don't make lame ass excuses why you can't do the job. it effect the entire community
DeleteIt is true that only a person can change their situation, if willing to change. That person does need supervision, if they are to be released. Most local probation officers do work hard, but there are a couple always walking, yakking at the courthouse, when they should be out in the field. Unless, absolutely required, their court presence should not be needed. Government workers like probations, child welfare also have to attend stupid, mandatory trainings, which cut into time to complete work. California Democrats, especially Moonbeam need to stop releasing criminals, spend more money rehabilitating inside jail or prison before release into society. Then there are the so called job creators, both on the left and the right, that are too busy lining their pockets, and giving lip service to creating meaningful employment in this community.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that back in 2011, with the Realignment program (aka AB 109) Jerry Brown gutted the parole division of CDCR and foisted the vast majority of released felons onto local probation departments. It was a huge shift in workload, and most counties are still playing catch-up.
ReplyDelete