Thanks California, you have disproven physics. Your financial problems have caused crap to run uphill. It's all ending up in Oregon and Washington, as you can see in this article.

Pair of robbers sent to prison
Crime / Justice By Paul Daquilante

http://www.newsregister.com/article/251 ... ent-prison

Francisco Javier Vasquez-Reyes pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon in Yamhill County Circuit Court to one count each of attempted first-degree robbery and attempted second-degree robbery, in addition to two counts each of second-degree theft and unlawful use of a weapon, for his role in machete-point robberies at two Newberg convenience stores.

Vasquez, who terrorized a customer at one store and a clerk at another with the machete, was sentenced to 62 months in prison - just over five years. He will not be eligible for the drug and alcohol treatment under the state's Alternative Incarceration Program, which could reduce his sentence, until he has completed at least 42 months.

Vasquez, a 20-year-old resident of 1713 E. 11th St. in Newberg, also was sentenced to three years of post-prison supervision.

He is under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold, however, which takes precedence. He will be deported on release.

The sentence, handed down by Judge Ronald Stone, came under terms of a plea offer from the Yamhill County District Attorney's Office.

Defense attorney Ted Coran of Salem termed it a compassionate and gracious plea deal. Coran said his client should be grateful, as he could have received a lengthy sentence.

Vasquez was indicted on two counts each of first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and second-degree theft, along with three counts each of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.

He had two co-defendants in the case, including brother Jesus Alberto Vasquez-Reyes, 19, of the same 11th Street address.

The younger Vasquez pleaded guilty to identical charges last week and received a 51-month prison sentence. He will also be eligible for AIP after serving a minimum of 36 months.

Like his brother, he faces ICE deportation upon completion of his sentence.

Yet to be resolved is the case of the third defendant, Kevin J. Marciniuk, 18, 204 N. Main St., Newberg, who has been charged in connection with only one of the two robberies. Currently free on $150,000 bail, he faces one count each of first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, second-degree theft, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.

Deputy District Attorney Ladd Wiles said plea negotiations are under way with Marciniuk's attorney, Randall Vogt of Portland. He said a trial report conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday.

Wiles said he took into account Francisco Vasquez's youth, lack of adult criminal history and full cooperation in the investigation in crafting the plea offer.

"The victims had concerns about him being a future threat to the community, and they wanted the maximum sentence," Wiles said.

While they didn't get that, he noted the sentence was longer than the one meted to his younger brother.

Coran said there was really no doubt about his client's guilt. When Stone asked him if there was a factual basis for conviction, Coran replied, "Most certainly."

The first robbery, carried out by two men, occurred shortly after midnight on Dec. 2 at Everybody's Market, 2113 Portland Road. The second, carried out by three men, occurred at the Newberg Food Mart, 1012 E. First St., about 11 hours later.

The Vasquez brothers allegedly participated in both robberies and Marciniuk in the second.

After the brothers entered Everybody's Market, Francisco Vasquez forced customer Vicente Pintor back several feet to a cooler, holding a machete to his neck and chest. Then Jesus Vasquez demanded the clerk open the cash register and turn over the money as his brother slammed the machete on the counter.

Police tried to track the men with a dog. In the process, they recovered a mask used in the robbery.

About 11 hours later, three men used a machete to rob the Newberg Food Mart. They forced a clerk to open the till and then lie on the floor.

Francisco Vasquez held the clerk, Chang Suh, at machete-point while his brother cleaned out the cash register, according to court records.

Marciniuk allegedly provided the machete and joined the Vasquez brothers in the second heist. In addition, he allegedly took some drink items from the store with him when he left.

The two robberies each netted less than $1,000. A cash register was damaged in one of them, however.

Vasquez read a statement of apology in Spanish. It was translated for the court by Dianne Hays-Hatch.

He said his daily routine consisted of going from home to work and back, and helping his mother on days off. He said he helped her pay her rent and bills, as she is recovering from surgery, but won't be able to do that from prison.

"My mistake was getting involved with my brother and Kevin," he said.

Stone, who also sentenced Jesus Vasquez, said the loving son claim didn't cut it with him.

"The victims were terrified," Stone said. "They didn't know if you were going to kill them or not.

"I suggest you use your time in prison to think about your life, and when you get out, do something good instead of something evil."