PORT ANGELES — After pleading guilty Wednesday to charges of second-degree theft and making false statements to a public servant, a deaf tourist who told police he had been assaulted and robbed in Erickson Park in May was released.
Tony Dean Branch, 29, who said he legally changed his name to Wolfjunge M. Wolfsburger, was met by advocates from a Seattle-based nonprofit agency that provides services for the deaf.
Branch had spent 36 days in the Clallam County jail, which was enough to fit the crime, said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Prentiss.
“That’s more than enough time,” Prentiss said.
Branch had said he made the false statements of being stranded in Port Angeles to get help for mental problems and never asked residents to give him money.
While Branch was staying for free at a local hostel, at least six people who read about the case in the PDN gave him money, totaling about $1,000.
‘I believe I am guilty’
“I believe I am guilty,” Branch said through an American Sign Language interpreter.
“I’ve done some wrong things.”
After being released, Branch communicated through writing.
He said his family lives in Florida, but came to the United States from Germany in 1995.
He said the Clallam County jail did not have accommodations for deaf people, which made communication difficult, if not impossible.
To pass the time, he slept, Branch said.
Branch’s lawyer, Terry Mulligan of Clallam-Jefferson Public Defenders, said because of Branch’s financial situation, he would not be able to pay any hefty fines.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams agreed, but required that Branch pay $710 in court fees and return $113 given to him by residents.
Branch had already turned over about $890 to the Port Angeles Police Department when he admitted making a false report.
