CAMANO ISLAND — Even if Colton Harris-Moore surrendered to police immediately, it may be years before an Everett bail bondsman can fulfill an offer he made this week to help the notorious fugitive post bond.
Harris-Moore escaped from a half-way home in April 2008, skipping out nearly two years before he’d completed a prison sentence.
Under state law, the 19-year-old must finish serving his time before a judge could consider releasing him, officials said.
“You can’t get out on bail when you’ve got a sentence,” said Dana Phelps, a Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration spokeswoman. “They can hold you on a sentence.”
The question came up after Michael Rocha, an Everett bounty hunter, agreed to help find Harris-Moore. At a public meeting on Camano Island on Tuesday, Rocha told an audience of about 200 that he’d be willing to post bond for Harris-Moore. That was among several promises he hoped would convince the teen to cooperate with the bondsman and face justice.
The young serial burglar has racked up a stack of legal woes. Harris-Moore could face an escape charge for fleeing the juvenile home. He also faces charges filed in Island and San Juan counties since his last conviction in 2007. Harris-Moore is suspected in dozens of burglaries and thefts. Police also believe Harris-Moore has piloted stolen planes and boats and taken luxury cars. That could mean dozens of additional felony charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s office also could go after Harris-Moore on federal charges for his alleged role in breaking into an automatic teller machine and crossing international boundaries and state lines in stolen vehicles. Federal and local prosecutors have remained silent about their plans.
Rocha said Wednesday he understands that Harris-Moore may have to fulfill previous prison obligations, but the teen also deserves his day in court.
“I don’t preconvict anybody,” Rocha said. “His guilt has to be proven in a court of law.”
Rocha has made headlines since he announced last week that he and other bail recovery agents would help police find Harris-Moore. The bondsman appeared on the Fox News Channel on Wednesday.
Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said he has refused to share information with a bail recovery agent in this case. The job of putting Harris-Moore behind bars should be left to law enforcement, he said.
Others believe there’s a risk in having private bounty hunters working on Camano Island.
Camano Island photographer Bec Thomas attended the Tuesday community meeting.
“I’m worried about strangers, especially armed strangers,” Thomas said.
She’s fears that somebody is going to be shot and that her son, 14, could be mistaken for Harris-Moore.
Law enforcement officials from at least five Washington counties, Canada and the U.S. government are searching for the fugitive.
“One of these days they’re going to catch him,” Thomas said.
Pam Kohler, Harris-Moore’s mother, said Rocha twice visited with her. She said she’s not willing to cooperate with him.
“If I knew where Colt was I sure as hell wouldn’t tell him,” Kohler said. “He’s only doing it for publicity for his companies.”
Josh Flickner, whose family owns the Elger Bay Grocery and who hosted Tuesday’s community meeting, said he welcomes Rocha’s efforts.
The Camano Island community for too long has put up with Harris-Moore, he said.
“The whole point of everything is to get that guy in jail,” Flickner said.
Flickner was unhappy with media coverage of Tuesday’s community meeting. He said reporters focused on sensational statements and underplayed that 200 people showed up to support bringing Harris-Moore to justice.
Rocha diffused criticism of his involvement and likened his role to that of an oil expert offering to help keep the clean the Gulf Coast after the giant oil spill there.
He has special skills, he said, and he’s willing to lend a hand at a time of need.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
