Robber James Geth pleads, is sentenced -- Jan. 30, 2007
Kevin L. Hoover Eye Editor
ARCATA – James Phillip Geth of Eureka pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a McKinleyville-to-Arcata crime spree that took place the morning of last Oct. 18.
A busy morning
Geth, 22, had allegedly robbed a McKinleyville mini-mart at knifepoint around 4 a.m. that morning. About three hours later, he held up the Gas4Less mini-mart at Alliance Road and Spear Avenue in Arcata, and moments later did the same thing at the Union 76 mini-mart on Alliance Road.
There, a video security camera captured images of Geth ordering the clerk and a patron into the back room at knifepoint. The clerk then fought Geth off with a stool, and the robber fled with the store’s cash drawer just as Arcata Police officers arrived.
A high-speed chase ensued, with APD breaking off pursuit for safety reasons. But a California Highway Patrol officer spotted Geth on West End Road, going 87 mph in a 25 mph zone. Geth abandoned his car near Aldergrove Road and, after a brief scuffle with an employee at a business there, fled through Ericson Court into marshy Aldergrove Pond.
APD Sgt. Dave Brown pursued Geth on foot 75 yards into chest-deep muck. Brown said Geth refused to halt and repeatedly feigned reaching for a weapon inside his shirt.
Brown said that if he had not heard previous police radio exchanges about the robberies involving a knife only, he may have shot Geth. Instead, he made the instant decision that Geth was likely not in possession of a firearm, and refrained from shooting. Geth was eventually tased by another officer and taken into custody.
The McKinleyville mini-mart's security videotapes and the Union 76’s cash drawer were subsequently found in the vehicle Geth had abandoned on West End Road.
Charges and pleas
Geth was on felony probation for drug offenses at the time of the robbery spree. Arcata Police recommended numerous felony charges against him for robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, probation violation, resisting and evading arrest with reckless driving.
However, in a subsequent plea arrangement, newly hired Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison recommended only one robbery and one evading count against Geth.
Arcata Police were aghast at the downsizing of the Geth case. Noting Geth’s disregard for public safety, his having terrorized citizens (security video shows him slashing at the clerk and a patron with the knife at the Alliance Road store) and placing an officer in a possible shooting situation, APD communicated its surprise and displeasure at the weakened charges to Dollison and DA Paul Gallegos.
At a preliminary hearing in early November, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen reproved Dollison for failing to subpoena the CHP officer involved and for not having the McKinleyville mini-mart clerk present.
Dollison, who has served mostly as a defense attorney, conferred with Gallegos and re-filed the evading and robbery charges. Geth ultimately pleaded guilty to one of the previously dropped robbery charges.
In ensuing months, the case was transferred to Deputy DA Andy Truitt, who did not immediately return calls Friday. Geth's father didn't return calls either, but last fall had characterized "Jamie" as an industrious but troubled youth.
Last week, Geth was sentenced to nine years in prison and two felony strikes against him.
“We are happy with the disposition,” said APD Captain Tom Chapman.
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ADDED: Allan Dollison served Humboldt County's DA's office for 6 years and 4 months. He details his record, and his reasons for leaving here - ◼ My record at the DA's Office - Allan Dollison/for the Times-Standard
