PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend man has been sentenced to two years in prison and two years of probation with mandatory treatment following a series of criminal incidents at the Mill Road homeless camp.
The sentence, for 25 months in prison and 25 months of probation, reflected the severity of Michael S. O’Donnell’s offenses and their impact on the homeless community, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s office said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a report about 11:49 p.m. April 6 that O’Donnell was trespassing at the Mill Road homeless camp, according to court documents.
O’Donnell had a criminal history at the site, including theft, burglary and unauthorized entry into private living areas, the prosecuting attorney’s office said.
One respondent, who is blind, reported that O’Donnell stole a tricycle worth $1,000. The witness later identified O’Donnell by his voice. The tricycle was later recovered undamaged.
Another witness reported that O’Donnell had entered his trailer without permission, had started rifling through his belongings and then scattered them about, the prosecuting attorney’s office said.
The mother of O’Donnell’s children reported that he had entered her tiny home and stole items, including binoculars and an inflatable life vest, the prosecuting attorney’s office added.
O’Donnell pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of residential burglary — domestic violence and second-degree theft.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Chris Ashcraft told the court at O’Donnell’s hearing that, although O’Donnell had successfully completed drug court and behavioral health court, he had relapsed each time.
Ashcraft stated in the press release that he hopes the combination of time in prison and DOC supervision after release will prevent O’Donnell from offending.
”The court’s decision to impose a 25-month prison sentence, followed by 25 months of probation with mandatory treatment, underscores our team’s commitment to addressing criminal behavior while providing an opportunity for rehabilitation,” Ashcraft said in a statement. “The probation terms include mandatory participation in treatment programs to address the underlying issues contributing to O’Donnell’s actions and hopefully these will prevent further violations of the law.”
