Victimized

Guest editorial

Individuals, two of whom were subsequently arrested due to some diligence by Deputy Mitchell, burglarized my property last October.

I am an artist who carves and almost 200 of my carvings were stolen including 8 large eggs (6 Emu, 1 Swan and 1 Rhea) all beautifully carved, as well as many of my tools, etc. from my shop.

The carvings, which are irreplaceable, and other items were valued at over $20,000.  My anguish over having had my shop ransacked and my personal property stolen has exasperated me by what I feel is a total miscarriage of justice in the prosecution of the thieves.

Because of a ring of thieves who have been preying on honest citizens for years, my art life, as I knew it is now gone. I participated in many arts and craft shows with my carvings, and an important part of my life has been stolen from me.

I learned as a result of the investigation that, Donald G. Mullanix (known as Grandpa) from Lakeside, was the main buyer of stolen property and has known contacts with second hand stores. He has been linked to a group of individuals, many of whom are convicted felons. It is believed that this group has been involved in up to 75 robberies (or more) in Lakeside, Hauser and on North and East Bay Drives in the last two years.

Two of the members, Brad Mullanix (grandson of Donald G. Mullanix) and Cathryn Feskanich were charged with the theft of my carvings, having 27 (of the 200 that were stolen) found in their possession.  Just 27 carvings!  I want the rest of my carvings back! I want my art life back! I loved carving, doing the various shows, meeting people, learning more all the time. I had a great life.  Now it’s gone.

Donald G. (Grandpa) Mullanix was prosecuted on theft charges for buying valuable coins belonging to Glenn Arnsperger along with other stolen items, which were found in Mullanix’s possession. Donald G. (Grandpa) Mullanix, was put on trial and was found guilty on:

Count 1- Aggravated Theft I (by buying) (this is for property worth more than $10,000– which is a felony).  As a side note: After a consent search on January 8, 2010, Donald Mullanix admitted to having purchased stolen coins for $13,000.  On January 9, 2010 Donald G. Mullanix delivered over $40,000 in stolen coins to investigators in a shed near the abandoned tavern located at the north entrance of Highway 101 and Wildwood Drive, Hauser.

In a plea bargain, Assistant District Attorney Rick Toby told me that grandpa received 55 days for this. However, later it was learned that grandpa only got 20 days and only has to pay a grand total of $1345 to the court. Where is our justice?

Here is the group who has probably, in my opinion, been working together in making a living by stealing from you and me to support their drug habits and lifestyle.

Donald G. (Grandpa) Mullanix : 1) Aggravated Theft I (by buying), 2-4) Theft I (by receiving) 20 days — Release date 7/16/2010

Brad Mullanix: Found in possession of stolen items.  Not yet charged.

Steven Blum: 1) Burglary II, 2) Theft I, 3) Theft I (by receiving), 4) Unlawful Possession of Meth. A few days in jail.

Jennifer Brault: 1-4) Theft I (by receiving), 5) Unlawful Manufacture/MJ, 6) Unlawful Poss. Meth.  8 days in jail

Robert Dale Eckley: 1) Burglary I, 2) Burglary II, 3) Aggravated Theft I, 4) Theft I (by receiving) 5) Burglary II, 6) Theft I, 7-8) Theft I (by receiving), 9) Unlawful Manufacture/MJ, 10) Unlawful Poss. Meth. 13 months 55 days Probably be out in 6 months.

Ryan Scott Milburn: Convicted of 7 counts of theft and 2 counts of manufacture and possession of marijuana. Convicted 3/11/10 serving 4.8 years in Santiam prison with possible parole 6/11/13.

Darrell Holloway: 1) Theft I (by receiving), 2) Unlawful Possession of Meth. Trial pending.

Alexander Gatewood: Trial pending

Cathryn Feskanich: Found in possession of stolen property. Warrant for her arrest: Whereabouts unknown.

It seems that crime does pay in Coos County! My understanding is that once time has been served and restitution has been completed, these people are free to continue their lives as before while the rest of us have to pick up the pieces of our lives that were indelibly marred and forever changed by the actions of these criminals.  They get just a slap on the wrist.  So where is the deterrent; better still, where is the justice for victims?

Sincerely yours,

Doris Bowman, victim