CALAVERAS COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Barbara Yook
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-6330
FAX (209) 754-6645
July 9, 2014 Press Release
JURY FINDS MAN
GUILTY IN THREE STRIKES CASE
People v. Robert Swiggart, 14F6178
On Tuesday a Calaveras County jury
convicted a Stockton man, Robert Swiggart, of four felonies with two strike
priors, four prison priors and one misdemeanor.
The felonies include criminal threats, inflicting injury on Jane Doe a
co-habitant, attempting to extort $5,000, and stalking of Jane Doe after a
restraining order was issued against him.
Deputy District Attorney Dana Pfeil
was pleased with the outcome. She said
“the victim (Jane Doe) showed real courage after testifying for an entire
day. Domestic violence cases can be
difficult because there is a stigma attached to the crime.” In the middle of the trial the Defendant
decided to represent himself, as is his Constitutional right, so the Public
Defender’s Office was relieved. Three
Deputy Sheriff’s testified in the case in addition to three lay witnesses. Dana Pfeil said “Justice was served and a
career criminal will be out of our community.”
The
two “strike” prior convictions were for two separate burglaries of an inhabited
dwelling in 1994. The Defendant could
receive twenty-five years to life in prison due to the two strike priors and
possibly more time for the remaining felonies.
A sentencing hearing is set for August 5th. The Probation Department is expected to file
a report and recommend a sentence.
The
victim wished to be listed as a Jane Doe in court documents.
updated 7-9-14 3:50 pm.
