Crime Law

Woman sentenced to prison in ID thefts linked to car break-ins at Mt. Rainier

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma woman who victimized more than a dozen visitors to Mount Rainier National Park, was sentenced to two years in prison, three years of supervised release and $7,034 in restitution for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan said 25-year-old Pamela Williams and co-defendant Matthew Mortinson broke into vehicles parked at various trailheads, stealing computers, credit cards and other valuables.

Durkan said the two smashed windows or removed a truck canopies to get inside the vehicles.

At sentencing Monday, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle ordered that Williams be banned from Mount Rainer National Park during her supervised release.

"This is a serious offense," Settle said. "Unless you have been the victim of this type of offense, you don't have an appreciation of how disruptive these crimes are on the lives of victims."

According to records filed in the case, Williams and Mortinson broke into vehicles at Paul Peak trailhead, Comet Falls trailhead, Crystal Lakes trailhead, White River Campground and the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.

The pair stole backpacks, purses, wallets, laptop computers, passports, outdoor tools and credit cards.  The credit cards were used to make various purchases, Durkan said.

Police said Mortinson was arrested following a traffic stop on an arrest warrant in Oregon.

After he was jailed in Pierce County, further investigation linked the two to the break-ins.

Authorities said a search of Williams’ home turned up some of the stolen goods.

Williams pleaded guilty in December 2011.

Mortinson is scheduled for trial in June.