Coastal Farm store burglars receive 6- and 10-year sentences

Third suspect awaits hearing, resolution

By Matthew Nash • November 16, 2022 1:30 am
Matthew Nash Last week, two of three suspects accepted plea agreements for six and 10 years in jail for their role in a June burglary of Coastal Farm and Ranch in Sequim where they stole shotguns and other merchandise. A third suspect awaits his next hearing later in November.
Matthew Nash Last week, two of three suspects accepted plea agreements for six and 10 years in jail for their role in a June burglary of Coastal Farm and Ranch in Sequim where they stole shotguns and other merchandise. A third suspect awaits his next hearing later in November.

Two of three suspects have pleaded guilty to felony charges related to the June burglary of Coastal Farm and Ranch, 990 E. Washington St., where multiple shotguns and tools were stolen.

Marcus Lavon Hale, 42, agreed to an offer of 10 years (120 months) in prison on Nov. 7 in Clallam County Superior Court, while Christopher Paul Robbins, 53, accepted six years (72 months) in prison on Nov. 9.

According to Sequim Police reports, three suspects were seen on surveillance video around 5:30 a.m. on June 24, with Robbins throwing a rock through the store’s front door window and using his shoe to break the second door. He later let in Hale and allegedly Micah Aaron Parker, 33, through an emergency door, the reports state.

In all, 13 shotguns worth about $9,050 were stolen, along with power tools and batteries, coolers and other merchandise worth about $14,040, according to court documents.

Initially, Hale was charged with burglary in the first degree, theft in the first degree, and 13 counts of theft of a firearm, but his plea deal with the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was amended to include burglary in the second degree with a firearm enhancement (being armed during the crime) and theft in the first degree.

Judge Brent Basden signed off on the plea deal on Nov. 7.

Hale previously was convicted for various felonies in June 2012 in Pierce County, including burglary in the first degree, according to court documents.

In court on Nov. 7, Hale apologized and expressed regret, according to court documents, and he wrote in a statement: “I broke into a business and had a firearm when doing so. I stole items worth approximately $8,000 more or less. This happened in Clallam County on June 24, 2022.”

Robbins’ charges were also amended on Nov. 9 to include burglary in the second degree, theft in the first degree, theft of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (fentanyl).

Court documents state Robbins had more than 100 pills of fentanyl and about 2 ounces of methamphetamine when he was arrested.

He was previously charged with burglary in the first degree, theft in the first degree, 13 counts of theft of a firearm, and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance (fentanyl) and (methamphetamine).

Robbins is also a convicted felon with multiple crimes including theft in the second degree and forgery.

Michele Devlin, Clallam County chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney, said on Nov. 9 that substance abuse disorder contributed to Robbins’ offense.

Judge Simon Barnhart agreed to Robbins’ plea deal that also included 12 months of community custody upon release, a no contact order with Hale, Parker, and he’s not allowed on any Coastal properties.

Barnhart also agreed to Robbins’ request he be jailed separately from his co-defendants.

Next hearing

Parker’s next hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in Clallam County Superior Court. He’s being held on $150,000 bond and faces charges of burglary in the first degree, theft in the first degree and 13 counts of theft of a firearm.

According to Nov. 4 court documents, Parker’s attorney William Payne said there’s been a breakdown in communication between him and Parker. Parker told judge Barnhart he needs a competency hearing because of numerous mental health issues and does not understand why he is here, court documents state.

Barnhart denied Parker’s request for new counsel, according to court documents, and Payne said he didn’t believe Parker had competency issues.

Previously, Payne told the court he received a plea deal offer the day before a Sept. 16 hearing, and Parker requested a new attorney and spit on the glass separating them.

Parker told Barnhart on Sept. 16 that Payne was already out of the booth when he spit, and he was “in shock and awe of the prosecuting attorney’s offer.”

Payne told Barnhart he had no issue with Parker.

Parker was arrested on June 29 at Western Inn in Tacoma, allegedly in possession of one of the stolen shotguns, and some power tools and clothes from the store, according to Sequim Police.

Robbins was arrested outside 7 Cedars Casino on June 24, according to court documents.

Hale was arrested on Sept. 14 at Olympia Inn in Olympia by the Thurston County Swat Team, Sequim Police detectives and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents, Sequim Police reported.