SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, November 26, 2014 VOL. 47, NO. 48 75¢ islandssounder.com
SPORTS | Orcas students get awards for fall sports [2] NEWS | Man convicted of assault is now on the run [3] COMMENTARY | Orcas Fire chief’s monthly report [5] CRIME | Sheriff ’s log [5] ARTS | Five steps to happiness [9] MUSIC | Bach concert [10]
Undersheriff looks back on island years by CALI BAGBY Assistant editor
Share the cheer
Colleen Smith Armstrong/staff photo
Annual holiday special inside this edition
On Monday, Undersheriff Bruce Distler will get on a ferry with his wife Bonni, their car and trailer and say farewell to the island he has called home for the last eight and a half years. Bruce and Bonni are moving to Green Valley, Ariz. They first “fell” for the state when the visited last year and decided that it was the place for retirement. Bruce describes Green Valley as a 55-plus community with “absolutely killer recreation,” including swimming pools and plenty of golf. It has been two years since Bruce has swung a club, but now he will have plenty of time to perfect his game. He also looks forward to riding his Harley Davidson. “What I will miss most is the friends we’ve made,” he said. Bruce was appointed to undersheriff in 2013. That month Sheriff Rob Nou told the Sounder that Bruce was chosen for his education, experience, personality, temperament and philosophy. The undersheriff has a master’s degree in management and criminal justice from Colorado Technical University. He has spent nearly 22 years as a law enforcement officer, serving San Juan County since 2006. Prior to
Man pleads guilty to drug, weapon charges Police investigation was aided by Orcas Island neighborhood watch group by SCOTT RASMUSSEN Journal editor
An Orcas Island man, the target of a home invasion about a year ago by a would-be armed robber, was dealt a 20-month prison term last week after pleading guilty to a series of felony drug and weapons crimes. On Nov. 14, David Atanas Andreev, 40, pleaded guilty in San Juan County Superior Court to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a Class B felony. In the sentence
handed down by Judge Don Eaton, Andreev was ordered to serve a total of 20 months in prison, the prison term sought by prosecutors and maximum allowed under state sentencing standards given the 40-year-old's criminal history. He must also pay $1,050 in fines and fees. Andreev, who had been released on $75,000 bail pending trial, was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing. Convicted in early 2006 of first-degree possession of stolen property, a felony offense, Andreev was prohibited from owning or having firearms in his possession. Authorities confiscated a .22-caliber collapsable rifle and
a .32-caliber handgun reportedly stolen from a San Juan Island home when they arrested Andreev at the Rosario-area home on drug and weapons charges in mid-June. Sheriff 's deputies, assisted by a Bellinghambased K-9 unit, reportedly seized cash, scales, packaging materials, the two firearms, eight ounces of packaged marijuana and 24 grams of methamphetamine at the time of the arrest. According to court documents, the arrest and subsequent conviction were the culmination of a four-month-long investigation into
SEE CRIME, PAGE 6
beginning his police career, he served 22 years with the Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant in aeromedical evacuation. He is a drug recognition expert, specially trained to determine if people are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol. Bruce said there was a huge learning curve transitioning from his job as a deputy being on the road to working as an administrator and leader. The undersheriff is considered the second in command of the sheriff ’s office. Bruce
SEE DISTLER, PAGE 6
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