Prolific burglar/thief sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison
Prolific burglar/thief sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison
On August 18, 2026, in Spokane County Superior Court, Sean T. Ponder (40) pleaded guilty to 6 crimes related to a series of burglaries and thefts in January and June of this year. The charges Ponder pled guilty to are 2 counts of Residential Burglary, 1 count of 2nd Degree Commercial Burglary, 1 count of 1st Degree Theft, 1 count of 1st Degree Trafficking in Stolen Property and 1 count of 1st Degree Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Ponder's criminal history consists of 18 felony convictions, including 4 Burglary and 3 Unlawful Possession of a Firearm convictions. Based on Ponder’s criminal history, his current charge of 1st Degree Unlawful Possession of a Firearm carried the highest standard range sentence with a high-end sentence of 116 months (9.7 years) under the Washington State sentencing guidelines.
Ponder’s crime spree included breaking into two homes, one in Chattaroy and one in Spokane Valley, and the business of a former employer located on E. Trent Ave., where he stole high-end valuables such as laptops, jewelry, and from one of the homes, a firearm.
At the sentencing hearing, victims of both residential burglaries told the court that Ponder took more than their belongings, he took their sense of safety and security. The State requested the court impose the high-end of the sentencing range on all 6 counts, arguing that such a sentence would promote greater community safety as Ponder is likely to reoffend. The Defense asked the court to impose a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA), arguing that substance abuse treatment would prevent his recidivism. Judge Michelle Szambelan declined to sentence Ponder to a DOSA, noting his significant conviction history and his staggering number of current convictions. Instead, Judge Szambelan followed the State’s recommendation and sentenced Ponder to the high-end of the sentencing range for each count to be served concurrently, totaling 116 months in prison.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Charles Crook handled the case for the State. We thank him, our Victim/Witness Advocates, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane Police Department for their work.
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