Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Judge issues arrest warrant for Daigneault
RITZVILLE - A Spokane Valley man being tried in connection with an Adams County burglary case failed to return to court in the middle of his trial Thursday, April 25
As a result, the Adams County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating John Michael Daigneault. 50, who was subsequently convicted in abstentia of burglary, court records show.
Daigneault was one of two people arrested in connection with the burglary of an Odessa-area farm in the 1900 block of state Highway 21, records show. While the farm has an Odessa address, it is located within Adams County.
According to Sheriff's Office records, Daigneault and Shannon D. Awtrey were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary in the case. The couple was stopped at about 4:23 p.m. after leaving the property in a pickup truck with a bed full of items.
Records show Daigneult is also facing a second-degree burglary charge in Lincoln County. He has a criminal record that includes cases in Spokane County, as well
The search for Daigneault stems from his disappearance from court.
"During the trial, Mr. Daigneault failed to return to court after the lunch break, and after the defense rested their case, Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said on social media. "The trail proceeded without him. They subsequently returned a guilty verdict."
Following the conviction, the Superior Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Daigneault, records show.
"We are seeking assistance in locating him," Wagner said.
Anyone with information on Daigneault's whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 509-659-1122.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
Reader Comments(0)