Orcas man accused of home invasion to stand trial

An Orcas Island man accused of breaking into a Rosario-area home and demanding money at gunpoint from the couple who live there is slated to stand trial on a trio of felonies in early March.

An Orcas Island man accused of breaking into a Rosario-area home and demanding money at gunpoint from the couple who live there is slated to stand trial on a trio of felonies in early March.

On Jan. 3, Bradley Kenneth Stoner, 25, pleaded not guilty in San Juan County Superior Court to first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree burglary and to second-degree assault.

If convicted of the most serious of the three offenses, first-degree attempted robbery, a Class A felony, he would face maximum penalties of life in prison, a $50,000 fine, or both.

Stoner, who turned himself in at the sheriff’s office in Eastsound, Dec. 23, the day after the alleged home invasion occurred, remains in custody in Island County jail pending trial. Bail was set at $10,000.

According to prosecutors, Stoner wore a black hooded sweatshirt and a red bandana that covered his face, and was armed with a rifle, an AK-47, when he broke into the couple’s Geiser’s Way home at about 10:30 p.m. He allegedly pointed the weapon and demanded money from the man that lives there, who reportedly recognized the would-be robber by his voice.

Moments later, when the bandana fell from his face as he racked the weapon, authorities claim that Stoner then fled from the home, having been recognized by his voice and by sight by both the man and the woman at the home.

The couple has reportedly been acquainted with Stoner since he was five years old, according to court documents.

Authorities recovered an AK-47 ammunition cartridge from the floor of the home.

Class B felonies, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both; however, the standard range of sentencing set by the state is typically 4-12 months in jail.