Scott A. Bader, 53, was sentenced July 11 after pleading guilty to felony driving under the influence on Sept. 18, 2013. A caller reported a Dodge Ram pick-up truck driving recklessly near the intersection of Front Street and Old Haines Highway before its driver parked at a nearby liquor store and staggered inside. The same truck was reported traveling erratically at the ferry terminal. Bader smelled strongly of alcohol and failed several field sobriety tests. Bader registered .207 on a breathalyzer. He was sentenced to four months in jail, a $10,000 fine, $200 in fees, permanent license revocation, three years’ probation, forfeiture of the pickup truck and revocation of the registration on all of his vehicles.
Royce L. Dombrock, 28, was sentenced May 28 after a jury found him guilty of driving under the influence on Jan. 4. An officer found Dombrock’s vehicle in a ditch on Soap Suds Alley. Dombrock admitted to drinking four beers but refused to perform field sobriety tests. When the officer tried to arrest Dombrock, he refused and started cursing at the officer. Dombrock continued to refuse to turn around and lunged at the officer, prompting the officer to tase Dombrock. Dombrock continued threatening the officer and was taken to jail after back-up officers arrived. Dombrock was sentenced to three days in jail, $1,830 in fines, $125 in fees, one year probation, six months of using an ignition interlock device, 90 days license revocation and completion of an alcohol assessment.
Andrew P. Hotch, 38, was sentenced May 13 after a jury found him guilty of driving under the influence on Nov. 29, 2013. A trooper found Hotch’s unoccupied pick-up stuck in a ditch near 22 Mile Haines Highway and followed footprints leading toward Klukwan. The trooper found Hotch walking unsteadily toward his home. Hotch admitted he had been driving and had slid off the road. When asked if he had been drinking, Hotch smiled and laughed and said he had been partying to celebrate his birthday. The trooper also noticed a bag of marijuana protruding from Hotch’s pocket. Hotch failed several field sobriety tests. The trooper arrested Hotch and took him to the Haines jail, where he blew .261 on a breathalyzer. The trooper also confiscated .22 ounces of marijuana. Hotch was sentenced to six days in jail, $1,830 in fines, $125 in fees, 90 days of license revocation, six months of using an ignition interlock device, one year probation and completion of an alcohol assessment.
Russell B. Clark, 19, was sentenced July 21 after pleading guilty to violating a domestic violence protective order on July 8. Clark attempted to cross the Canadian border with a female minor who he was prohibited from contacting. Clark let the minor out of the truck before getting to the border so she could cross through the woods and meet him on the other side. The two were in communication via walkie-talkie. Border patrol called police, who had flagged Clark’s name. When troopers arrived, Clark said the two had “wanted to start a new life somewhere.” Clark’s sentence included five days in jail, a $50 fee and having no contact with the minor for one year.
Clark was also sentenced July 21 for violating a domestic violence protective order on April 11. Clark tried to get a female minor to leave her friend’s car and enter his vehicle. Clark repeatedly swore and insulted the minor’s friend until the minor got into his truck. Clark was sentenced to five days in jail, $100 in fees, and one year probation.
Nicholas C. Degtoff, 53, was sentenced May 15 after pleading guilty to third-degree assault on April 19, 2013, and first-degree tampering with a witness on July 9, 2013. While arguing with a woman at a residence, Degtoff emerged from a bathroom with a loaded bolt-action rifle and threatened to kill himself. When the woman tried to call 911 and screamed “Help!” into the phone, he removed the phone cord and threatened to kill the woman and her child. Degtoff discharged the rifle into the ceiling and continued to say he would kill the woman and anyone who came to help her. The woman eventually fled with the child. Troopers investigated and found a nearly empty jug of whiskey. Degtoff admitted to drinking “about half a gallon.” He was sentenced to two years in jail, four years’ probation, $100 in fees and completion of a State Batterers’ Intervention Program.
Degtoff also was sentenced on May 15 after pleading guilty to unlawful contact on Oct. 22, 2013. Trooper investigation found ferry tickets, airplane tickets, receipts and other information proving Degtoff had been in Haines and contacted a woman he was prohibited from by court order. He was sentenced to six months in jail and $100 in fees.
Degtoff also was sentenced May 15 after pleading guilty to violating conditions of release on Oct. 29, 2013. Degtoff had left Juneau, which he was prohibited from doing under a previous conviction. He was sentenced to six months in jail and $100 in fees.