If Joseph R. Lofstrom wants to grab a cup of coffee after he\u2019s done serving eight years in prison for theft and robbery, he\u2019ll have to go somewhere other than Juneau\u2019s Heritage Coffee shops \u2014 that\u2019s part of his plea deal.<\/p>\n
Lofstrom, 33, robbed a Heritage Coffee drive-thru stand in the Lemon Creek area in 2014. One year later, he confessed to the robbery, and on Thursday, Juneau Superior Court Philip Pallenberg sentenced him to 15 years in prison, with seven of those years suspended.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went into the building and took her sense of security from her,\u201d Lofstrom said during his sentencing, referring to then-21-year-old barista he ordered to give him cash on Aug. 27, 2014. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lofstrom continued to deny in court that he used any weapon during the robbery, but Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp told Judge Pallenberg that the witness in the robbery has not once changed her statement about seeing some sort of weapon used by Lofstrom when he robbed her.<\/p>\n
In a previous interview with the Empire, the barista described the weapon Lofstrom used as a \u201cshank-y sort of tool, like, sharp kind of tool, pointed to my face.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s eight-year sentence was also for a July 9, 2014 felony weapons theft that Lofstrom admitted to committing with his then-girlfriend Tania Polk, whom he shares a son with. Lofstrom went on to sell that stolen weapon to the Checkmate Pawn Shop, Kemp told the Empire in a phone call after the hearing.<\/p>\n
According to prosecutors, Lofstrom told a Juneau Police Department detective that he robbed the coffee stand to feed his family and pay rent.<\/p>\n
As part of Lofstrom\u2019s deal, he\u2019ll have to pay the shop\u2019s owner $275 in restitution since police have since seized the gun for evidence. He\u2019ll also have to send $641 to Heritage Coffee shop.<\/p>\n
In court, Lofstrom also issued an apology to the woman whose house he robbed to get the stolen weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took things and took that sense of security that her stuff was safe and I\u2019m surely sorry for that,\u201d Lofstrom said.<\/p>\n
ADA Kemp, meanwhile, told Judge Pallenberg that Lofstrom\u2019s inability to stay away from crime while on probation in the past is evidence enough that he is not quick to learn his lessons. She said rehabilitation should be the court\u2019s lowest priority with this case and keeping Lofstrom isolated is what\u2019s important now.<\/p>\n
Pallenberg said he was in agreement with the plea deal for eight years, but he seemed hopeful that Lofstrom could gain the necessary tools while in prison to turn his life around.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that a person is not defined by a list of prior offenses on a piece of paper. … If we don\u2019t believe in the possibility of change, then I guess we lock everyone up for a life,\u201d Pallenberg said. \u201cI have to believe in the possibly for change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or paula.solis@juneauempire.com.<\/p>\n
Read more news:<\/strong><\/p>\n Haa shuk\u00e1: Tlingit language apps connect past, present and future<\/a><\/p>\n Downtown drive-by shooter receives three years in prison<\/a><\/p>\n