A Juneau man with multiple larcenies and assaults in his criminal history has been charged with first-degree vehicle theft in connection with a Feb. 10 arrest.
Dakota Anthony Gallant, 26, was arraigned in Juneau Superior Court Tuesday after being indicted by a grand jury on March 1.
According to the complaint filed by the Juneau Police Department, officers responded to a report of a a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 1800 block of Mark Allen Drive, with a man in the passenger seat.
The man, identified as Gallant, told the police officer that the car belonged to him and that he had purchased it a few days ago from a man named Michael, William or Bill. Gallant did not remember the man’s last name, the complaint stated. He said he had a bill of sale and the title, but could not find them when asked to produce them.
The registered owner of the vehicle had reported the vehicle — valued at $1,900 — as having been stolen from in front of his residence on Feb. 5, according to the complaint. He was contacted and told police he did not know Gallant, did not sell him the vehicle and did not give him permission to have the vehicle.
Gallant has an extensive criminal history in Juneau and in North Dakota, according to online records and summaries of his recent court appearances. He has cases dating back to 2010 for larceny and possession of controlled substances, with nine cases in 2016, two of which involved assault charges. So far this year he had racked up five infractions or misdemeanors having to do with vehicle violations, including diving without a license.
Gallant appeared in court on Feb. 11 and was appointed a public defender. During a hearing on Feb. 14, the public defender successfully argued for Gallant to be released on his own recognizance. Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp noted he had multiple larcenies on his record, while Assistant City Attorney August Petropulos added he had been arraigned in February for driving without a license and then was charged again fro the same offense just four days later. Gallant was set for trial on pending larceny and driving cases on April 25, according to court records; he is scheduled to be in court again on March 23.
Two indicted on theft, burglary charges
A Juneau grand jury indicted John P.L. Holland, 41, on charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft and third-degree mischief in connection with a June 3, 2016 burglary. Geoffrey M. Alter, 44, was indicted on second-degree theft for allegedly receiving stolen property from that burglary.
Holland was arraigned in Juneau Superior Court on March 3 on the burglary case and a trial date was set for June 5. Alter is set for arraignment on this case on Thursday.
Holland made news last year when he tried to use pepper spray on Juneau Police Department officers during a chase in September. He was charged with three counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, as well as violating the conditions of an earlier release; he is set for trial in that case on March 21.
Alter was one of four men indicted after a home invasion robbery in February 2016 in which a man reportedly was held at gunpoint and assaulted with a baseball bat. Alter subsequently pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief for his part in the incident and is set to be sentenced on April 3. Co-defendants Devin Clements and Anthony Kalk also have taken plea agreements, while alleged ringleader Joshua Lehauli is set for trial June 12.
Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.
