Some of the items seized during an investigation into charges against David Bach are seen last summer at the Ketchikan Police Department.
A Ketchikan man arrested last August on multiple drug and weapons charges pleaded guilty in Superior Court Wednesday to three charges in exchange for the prosecution dropping the rest.
53-year-old David Bach had faced six drug charges and two weapons charges, all felonies. The agreement in front of Judge Trevor Stephens called for a guilty plea to two felony drug charges and one felony weapons charge.
The composite sentence agreed to in the plea deal is 14 years in jail, five years suspended, and a $20,000 fine with $10,000 of that suspended.
Bach’s attorney, Michael Smith of Anchorage, was in court with his client. They hoped to waive the presentencing investigation, a common practice in Anchorage, but Judge Stephens says that’s not done down here.
Bach had also faced potential federal drug charges, and those likely will be dropped. Whether approximately $180,000 cash and other items seized during the criminal investigation will be forfeited will be determined during the sentencing hearing, set for 11 a.m. Oct. 16.
Outside the courthouse after the change-of-plea hearing, Bach’s attorney said his client is eager to complete his sentence and re-enter society.
The charges against Bach stem from a police investigation last summer that resulted in the seizure of more than 25 pounds of marijuana, as well as methamphetamine, prescription drugs, cash and various weapons. The items were found during searches of condo units at the Mary Frances Building and Bach’s Bawden Street business, Dave and Barb’s Party Supplies.
