Crime & Justice

Anchorage couple charged with starting Sockeye Fire may not face trial

PALMER — Nearly a year after the Sockeye Fire destroyed 55 homes in Willow, the Anchorage couple facing criminal charges for starting it are considering a plea deal.

Prosecutors say Greg Imig, 60, and Amy DeWitt, 42, burned a pile of debris on June 14, 2015, without clearing the area or having water on hand, allowing the fire to escape into a forest before they drove away in their motor home.

Along with the destruction left behind, the fire cost more than $8 million to fight.

Imig and DeWitt are each charged with second-degree criminally negligent burning and three counts of reckless endangerment, as well as failure to obtain a burn permit, burning without clearing the area, allowing the fire to spread and leaving the fire unattended. All the charges are misdemeanor offenses.

During a pretrial conference in Palmer District Court on Friday, the couple's attorneys said they had received "an offer" from the state Thursday.

Judge David Zwink set another conference for June 10 to allow the attorneys to talk with Imig and DeWitt. All sides are also continuing to work toward a trial that is at least several months off and could last a month — a remarkably long time for lower-level charges in district court.

Zwink will be covering for retiring Superior Court Judge Eric Smith, which brings potential interruptions for the Sockeye case, prosecutors say.
Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak said after Friday's hearing that he couldn't discuss the particulars of negotiations between the state and the defendants. He said the two sides have been in email discussions for some time and there's nothing new that prompted any offer.

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"We're trying to see if we can resolve the case without a trial and using state resources," Kalytiak said. The ongoing state budget crisis has prompted prosecutors to prioritize trial cases.

He said any agreement would hinge on at least two factors: Imig and DeWitt would need to acknowledge that their actions constituted criminally negligent burning, "a crime," rather than just burning without a permit; and they'd have to admit that their conduct endangered people in Willow.

It's likely any agreement would involve only a "charge bargain," in which the defendants admit to some charges and get others dismissed, he said. There probably wouldn't be a financial settlement.

The sentencing phase, which could involve restitution to people who lost homes or other property, would be a court proceeding with witnesses, evidence and each side suggesting a penalty to the judge, who would make the ultimate decision.

Restitution could be "tricky," Kalytiak said. "Do we accept a realistic amount, versus an amount on a piece of paper with PFD garnishment — if there still is a PFD?"

Friday's hearing marked the fourth time since December that a pretrial conference in the case was continued to a later date. Imig and DeWitt have yet to show up personally in court after receiving a waiver. Their attorneys participate in hearings by phone from Anchorage.

Kalytiak said if the case is resolved before trial, the DA's office will have to add a requirement that Imig and DeWitt appear in court for their change of plea and sentencing hearings.

The fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 structures, charring thousands of acres of forest within an 18-square-mile swath and killing pets, including some sled dogs, in the town of about 2,000 residents known as Alaska's unofficial mushing capital.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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