EVERETT — A former Boeing mechanic who was sacked for stealing thousands of dollars in movie tickets from the company mail room was sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail.
Bryan McLeod offered little explanation for why he started stealing from the company and hawking the stolen goods online. He told the judge he had made a series of terrible decisions.
“I’m ready to put this behind me,” he said.
McLeod made off with nearly $17,000 in company property, mainly movie tickets and gift cards that the company gives to employees as incentives.
Boeing investigators installed security cameras in the mail room in late 2014 to catch whoever was behind the missing property. The footage showed McLeod breaking into the room after hours, taking the tickets and putting empty boxes back on shelves, according to court records.
Boeing fired McLeod and ordered him to stay off the premises. The company didn’t report the thefts to Everett police. But McLeod returned to the property room and took more stuff, including drones that he later put up for sale online. The company alerted Everett police detectives and turned over their evidence from the earlier thefts.
McLeod, 34, pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree theft. He faced up to three months in jail. It was his first felony conviction.
His attorney Emily Hiskes said her client was screened for the Therapeutic Alternatives to Prosecution program but wasn’t eligible because he owes too much to the Boeing Co. He wasn’t able to come up with a few thousands dollars to qualify, Hiskes told the judge.
The program, run by the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, is supported by sales tax earmarked specifically for mental health and addiction programs. Clients sign a three-year contract and agree to seek appropriate treatment to address their mental disorders or substance abuse. Counselors manage the cases and meet with clients to monitor their progress. Participants must follow through with treatment and abide by other conditions. If they complete the program, the criminal charges are dropped.
Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas questioned why the defendant didn’t ask his family to assist him so he could take advantage of the program. It would have been a better alternative than jail time and a felony record, the judge said.
McLeod said he’s borrowed money from his parents in the past. “I can’t put any more pressure on their shoulders,” he added.
Lucas said he didn’t get a sense that McLeod was remorseful or that he had carefully thought through solving his legal troubles. He committed a serious offense that could have landed him behind bars for much longer if prosecutors had tacked on additional charges, Lucas said.
McLeod was taken into custody Monday despite his request for time to make arrangements to board his dog.
Lucas told McLeod it was time for him to learn that there are consequences for his actions.
“You can’t keep sliding out of stuff and asking for mercy,” the judge said.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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