Four sentenced to state prison for their crimes

Submitted by David Hollister

Plumas County District Attorney

The DA’s Office is now operating with one prosecutor. We are actively recruiting to fill the other two deputy district attorney positions. To date, we have yet to receive an application, but continue to work with the Board of Supervisors and its staff in an effort to make changes allowing Plumas County to be competitive in our recruitment process.

Today saw a particularly busy “Felony Friday” calendar with 44 cases heard. A brief update of a sampling of cases previously appearing in Plumas News is set forth below.

Portola Fire Conviction

David Anthony Armstrong, age 30 of Portola, was sentenced to 4 years in state prison on May 6, 2022.

On June 18, 2021 a fire raged through an eastern Portola neighborhood destroying three homes and damaging the surrounding area. The fire began with an illegal burn occurring within city limits which was left unattended and quickly devoured neighboring homes while threatening others. Armstrong was subsequently arrested for starting the fire.

After being charged with felony recklessly causing fire to inhabited structures, Armstrong’s case was delayed while he was treated so as to be competent to stand trial.

On March 18, 2022, after his competence had been restored, Armstrong was convicted of felony causing a fire and an enhancement for causing multiple structures to burn. District Attorney David Hollister noted his appreciation for the numerous first responders who helped prevent a bad situation from becoming catastrophic. During sentencing, the Honorable Janet Hilde, DA Hollister and Armstrong’s attorney, Bill Abramson, noted the significant improvement in Armstrong’s mental health from the time he first appeared to the sentencing date.

CHP Pursuit, Crash and Bite

On May 6, 2022, Andrea Lynn Chavira, age 29 of Stockton, was sentenced to 16 months in state prison. Chavira, on March 18, 2022, had previously been convicted of felony evading an officer and misdemeanor driving while under the influence of a drug.

Chavira was arrested on February 24, 2022 after being observed driving recklessly up the Feather River Canyon. When a CHP officer attempted to stop Chavira a pursuit ensued which concluded with Chavira losing control and rolling her vehicle near the Butterfly Valley Road area on State Route 70. When Chavira refused commands to surrender, CHP officers utilized a less than lethal bean bag round to break the sunroof and were able to remove her from the car. Once removed from the car, and as she was being put in a patrol car, Chavira bit the arresting officer causing injury.

District Attorney David Hollister extended his appreciation to CHP Officers Luntey and Bruno for their quick action and professional efforts in taking the defendant into custody.

Quincy Meth Conviction

On May 6, 2022, Kenneth Michael Davidson, age 52 of Quincy, was sentenced to 4 years in state prison following his February 18, 2022 conviction for possession of methamphetamine for sale with a “strike” prior conviction. The Honorable Janet Hilde ordered Davidson remanded him into custody after his sentence was imposed.

Davidson was originally arrested on June 22, 2021, when Plumas County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies served a search warrant on his residence and property. During the service of the search warrant, detectives found ammunition and a taser baton in Davidson’s vehicle and a revolver as well as 1.72 ounces of methamphetamine in his residence. District Attorney David Hollister noted his appreciation for the efforts of Detective Sgt. Steve Peay, Sgts Beatley and Froggatt, Detectives Fatheree and Vickrey and Deputies Fraga and Hermann for their efforts in this investigation. Hollister noted the horrible impact methamphetamine continues to have on our community and the importance of disrupting the supply whenever possible.

Jail Contraband Conviction

On May 6, 2022, Christina McGill Jansen, age 38 of Quincy, was sentenced to 16 months in state prison after being convicted, on April 8, 2022, of a felony violation of Section 4571 of the Penal Code – Ex-convict on or adjacent to a Custodial Facility.

Jansen, who had previously been convicted of a felony, was arrested on January 14, 2022 after throwing a lighter over the jail fence to her boyfriend who was in custody at the Plumas County Jail. Jansen had parked at a business near the jail at 4 p.m. and, in front the business’s workers and customers as well as jail staff, threw the lighter in to the jail exercise yard.

District Attorney David Hollister noted “while this crime seems petty, if not just plain dumb, it is crucial we support our correctional officers in keeping drugs and contraband out of our jail. Any leniency in allowing contraband into our jail puts our correctional officer, and other inmates, at risk.”