A Juneau grand jury on Friday indicted a 33-year-old woman who was caught on prison surveillance cameras punching a fellow inmate multiple times in the face.
Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Matthew Hightower was conducting a prisoner transport at Lemon Creek Correctional Center Jan. 28 when he received word of a jailhouse fight, according to an affidavit the District Attorney’s office filed March 17.
When Hightower reviewed the security footage, he said he saw inmate Vanessa M. Pazar punch a second inmate, Kacie Timothy, in her face six times. The altercation started after a conversation between the two women, although each told Hightower a different version of what was said.
Timothy claimed she tried to ignore a talkative Pazar, and asked her to be quiet at one point, which ended with punches to her face. Pazar claimed Timothy was talking to her first, but she told Hightower she couldn’t remember exactly what was said.
On the surveillance camera, Hightower reported seeing Timothy seated next to Pazar, then Timothy said something in Pazar’s direction. Pazar then stood up and began throwing punches.
“I don’t know why she decided to run her mouth to me,” Pazar told Hightower during their interview. “I got physical and hit her a couple of times. I hit her with my right fist. When I stopped she started running her mouth again. So I started again. I know how to control my temper, I don’t want to.”
Timothy reported pain to her lip, cheek and left eye.
Pazar’s criminal history reveals she has been convicted of fourth-degree assault twice in the past 10 years. She now faces a class C felony assault charge punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine. According to online court records, Alaska State Troopers issued a summons for Pazar on March 21. She was contacted then released on her own recognizance March 29.
The Juneau grand jury also issued the following indictments on Friday:
• Dana L. Elie, 35, and Anthony A. Parr, 37, were named in the same indictment as co-defendants for promoting contraband in the first degree.
Elie is charged as having introduced or attempting to have introduced the narcotic pain reliever buprenorphine on Feb. 24 into LCCC. Parr is charged for possessing or attempting to posses buprenorphine on the same day.
Both actions are class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $50,000.
The case was sent directly to the grand jury, meaning a police complaint and affidavit were not available.
According to online court records, Elie last pleaded guilty Nov. 19 in a felony case for misconduct involving a controlled substance. Parr is currently facing second- and fourth-degree drug misconduct charges for allegedly delivering heroin to a confidential informant in December 2014.
Elie and Parr are scheduled to appear before Judge Philip Pallenberg for an arraignment today at 1:15 p.m.
Indictments are only formal accusations of illegal activity, they are not evidence of guilt.
• Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or paula.solis@juneauempire.com.
