Janet L. Gleason looks back to supporters in the courtroom after the judge indicates disagreement with her lawyer’s recommendation.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Intentionally skipping her court hearing got Janet L. Gleason five extra years in prison.
Gleason, 43, pleaded guilty today to bail jumping and then officials got on with the business of her sentencing hearing that was supposed to take place last month.
The Centralia woman was already convicted of several felonies pursuant to a plea agreement. She admitted to participating in a burglary early last year at the home of Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer
Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain who handled the case told the judge this morning in Lewis County Superior Court they’d had an agreement about how much time he would recommend if she cooperated by trying to retrieve the stolen valuables.
She previously brought a bag of jewelry to court, but none of it was from Meyer’s home, McClain said.
Prosecutors believe Gleason targeted Meyer in retaliation for him prosecuting her teenage son, because a Thurston County Jail inmate who said he was with her told them so.
Gleason apologized, but stuck with her story she gave a friend a ride, the break-in was his idea and she was unaware of whose house it was.
The convictions include residential burglary, first-degree trafficking in stolen property and second-degree malicious mischief as well as a separate possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
McClain and Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello recommended she get 84 months for those offenses.
Defense attorney Michael Underwood asked Judge Richard Brosey to give her a prison drug offender sentencing alternative.
He said his client has a drug problem, a serious drug problem.
Elected Prosecutor Meyer spoke of being victimized, calling the crime an attack on his family and an attack on the entire system.
“I had never though the sanctity of my home would be violated simply because I was doing my job,” Meyer said.
Attorneys on both sides agreed Gleason owed restitution of $27,717.74.
Judge Brosey said he wasn’t inclined toward the defense suggestion, given the what he also believed to be the reason Meyer was targeted. He told those present in the courtroom he had the discretion to order her sentences to be served concurrently or consecutively.
Brosey imposed seven years for the burglary case and seven years for the drug case, and said they could be served at the same time as each other.
But then he imposed the maximum of five years for bail jumping and said it had to be served separate from the other crimes, putting her away for 12 years.
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For background, read “Role reversal: Lewis County prosecutor reflects on becoming a burglary victim” from Friday November 6, 2015, here
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