PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who attempted to rob 1st Security Bank in Port Angeles last year was sentenced Thursday to a little more than eight years — 96.75 months — in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree attempted robbery and and second-degree identity theft.
James Lavon Lewis, 50, said his life had spiraled out of control when he began taking opioids after hurting his back while working at the Olympic Game Farm.
He apologized for what he had done and said there was no excuse for his actions.
“I got out of prison in 2013 and I was almost perfect,” he said. “I don’t even get a speeding ticket when I don’t use. This was supposed to be a part of my life that was in the past.”
Lewis said he’ll spend his time in prison “trying to figure out where I went wrong and how I can prevent that,” and vowed to attend addict support group meetings.
“I apologize, I really do. I’m sorry for the things I do when I’m addicted,” he said. “I don’t mean to hurt anyone or anything.”
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour said he hears stories similar to Lewis’ every day in court.
“You’re going to have a lot of time to get clean and sober,” Coughenour said. “When you get out, stay away from the people, places and things that got you here.”
Lewis tried to rob the 1st Security Bank at 134 W. Eighth St. at about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 24. He waited for an open teller before showing a handwritten note demanding money in large bills.
He tapped on his pocket as though he had a weapon in it, a bank employee told police. Before the teller could get Lewis the money, he quickly walked out of the bank, court records say.
Lewis had a robbery conviction stemming from a bank robbery in Port Angeles in June 2002 as well. According to the FBI, Lewis entered a Bank of America branch and placed a brown paper bag and note on the counter.
The identify theft charge stemmed from a Sequim police investigation in October.
A man told police that a checkbook had been stolen from his vehicle and that $9,724 in 1st Security Bank checks had been forged and cashed at First Federal in Sequim, Officer Christopher Wright said in charging papers.
Nine checks were cashed by a man identifying himself as James L. Lewis, with portions of the checks deposited into his personal account, Wright said.
Lewis has previously been convicted of residential burglary, telephone harassment, unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree robbery, second-degree theft, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, three counts of forgery, two counts of second-degree burglary and taking a motor vehicle without permission.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
