A Long Beach man who reportedly was infatuated with a former co-worker pleaded guilty Friday to repeatedly breaking into her Olympia home, stealing her underwear and stalking her.
Royce Baxter, 59, a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee, also pleaded guilty under an Alford plea to felony harassment stemming from accusations that he had plotted to kill the Thurston County sheriff’s detective who arrested him in connection with the case, as well as the former co-worker’s husband. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes there is enough evidence to convict.
As part of Baxter’s plea deal, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to a joint recommendation that he serve 15 years in prison.
Baxter pleaded guilty to residential burglary with sexual motivation, six counts of residential burglary, felony stalking and felony harassment. He will have to register as a sex offender when he’s released.
Detective Dave Haller said the case is one of the strangest he has seen in his 40 years in law enforcement. He said his primary concern is for the safety of the victim, her husband and their family.
Baxter’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 1.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465
jpawloski@theolympian.com
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