An Orcas Island man who’s romance unraveled when his live-in girlfriend discovered that her checking account had been raided was ordered to serve 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of forgery and a pair of misdemeanors.
On Nov. 14, Jeffrey D. Bounds, 38, pleaded guilty in San Juan County Superior Court to four counts forgery, a Class C felony, and to two misdemeanors, resisting arrest and attempted escape. He was sentenced the following week to 13 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,875 in fines and fees, and $1,006 in restitution. He was credited with having served 59 days in jail while awaiting trial.
According to court documents, the woman’s suspicions were raised shortly after Bounds moved into her home after a client’s $100 cash payment vanished and mysterious charges began appearing on her gasoline credit-card account. She notified authorities after discovering someone cashed numerous checks from her checking account using a forged signature.
Bounds was taken into custody in late September following an altercation with an officer in the shower room at Moran State Park. However, according to court documents, Bounds would likely have eluded capture had the officer not been assisted by a bystander during that altercation. He successfully escaped from custody following a court hearing in Friday Harbor, but turned himself in shortly after fleeing the courthouse.
Bounds, who has an extensive criminal history involving property and financial crimes, including several prior felony convictions, was represented in the case by public defender Thomas Pacher.
A Class C felony, forgery carries maximum penalties of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both; however, the standard range of sentencing set by the state is 22-29 months.
Thirty days for felony hit-and-run
An Orcas Island man who knocked down a bicyclists, drove into a ditch and then fled the scene was ordered to 30 days in jail for felony hit-and-run.
On Nov.21, Chris Von Dahl, 56, was sentenced in San Juan County Superior Court to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $1,800 in fines and fees, and $85 in restitution. He will be allowed to serve 30 days on work release in lieu of jail and must serve one year of probation at the end of that 30 days.
According to court documents, Von Dahl, who qualified for sentencing as a first-time offender, suffers from a debilitating neurological condition that made work crew an inappropriate choice as a sentencing alternative. He was represented in the case by public defender Thomas Pacher.
According to prosecutors, Von Dahl failed to provide assistance or remain at the scene as required by law after knocking down a bicyclists with his pickup near the intersection of Cormorant and Deer Harbor roads. The bicyclist, who, along with his wife, was on a tour and visit of the island in May, suffered significant injuries after being struck and thrown onto the hood of Von Dahl’s pickup.
A Class C felony, felony hit-and-run carries maximum penalties of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both; however, the standard range of sentencing set by the state is 3-9 months in jail.
According to court records, Von Dahl, a part-time island resident, blamed the collision on a series of unfortunate events. He reportedly told authorities that he lost sight of the road after spilling hot coffee in his lap while trying to readjust his glasses, which moments before had slipped off his nose, and never saw the bicyclists. He claims that he left the scene only after the couple began throwing rocks at him.
