Prolific burglar given lengthy prison term of 12 years

EVERETT — A Snohomish County judge showed no leniency to a prolific burglar on Tuesday, sentencing him to 12 years in prison for a rash of heists at businesses.

Superior Court Judge George Appel didn’t find a reason to give Adam Nemra a second chance at drug treatment. Instead, the judge said Nemra, 30, deserved a lengthy incarceration.

“There is no other way I can see to keep society safe from you,” Appel said.

Detectives believe Nemra was good for dozens of after-hours burglaries at businesses from Bellingham to Bremerton.

He often would bring along a grinder to slice open safes, squeezing his small hands into the incisions and making off with thousands of dollars. He also was accused of stealing high-priced merchandise from other businesses and selling the property online. One company was hit at five different locations. It reported losing more than $57,000 in goods and being on the hook for another $10,000 in damage.

Nemra also targeted Burger Kings, Jiffy Lubes and Great Clips.

Everett police detectives were investigating a rash of break-ins at Jiffy Lubes last fall when two more burglaries happened — one at a pizza restaurant, the other at a dollar store. The suspect left behind drops of blood.

By then Everett police detective Danny Rabelos had zeroed in on Nemra. The detective obtained a warrant to take a DNA sample from the convicted felon. The Marysville man’s genetic profile matched blood found at three separate crime scenes, according to court papers.

Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Adam Cornell charged Nemra with a single count of burglary in 2013. Nemra bailed out and went on to commit additional heists earlier this year. He was arrested again in May.

Nemra in August pleaded guilty to five counts of second-degree burglary. He also pleaded guilty to possessing stolen property and trafficking in stolen property. He went forward with the plea without an agreement from prosecutors regarding their sentencing recommendation.

He faced up to seven years under a standard range. Cornell made it known that he would recommend that Nemra spend at least 10 years behind bars.

The deputy prosecutor Tuesday asked for a dozen years. Cornell justified the request by pointing to Nemra’s lengthy criminal history. He has six prior felony convictions. He has a failed attempt at an alternative sentence that spared him prison time if he successfully had completed drug and alcohol treatment in 2011. Additionally, because of his criminal history a standard sentence would mean that Nemra wouldn’t be punished for any of his 2014 crimes.

“The defendant is simply not able to control his predilection for thievery…,” Cornell wrote.

Nemra asked for leniency, saying he needed treatment for his methamphetamine addiction. The state Department of Corrections agreed that Nemra was a good candidate for an alternative sentence. That would have allowed him to spend half his prison term out of custody, getting treatment. He would have been required to report regularly to a community corrections officer and undergo random drug testing. If he messed up, he would serve out the rest of his sentence.

Nemra has been using drugs since he was 14. He said he broke into businesses to feed his drug habit. He asked for another chance to tackle his addiction.

“I’m sorry for that,” Nemra said.

He has more motivation to stay clean, including a young son and a child on the way, the judge was told.

His attorney, Jason Schwarz, said Nemra is intelligent.

“I have no doubt that if Mr. Nemra found sobriety, he could be quite a productive member of society,” Schwarz said.

He called the prosecutor’s request “excessive.” In the past decade, nearly 800 people have been convicted of first- and second-degree burglaries statewide. Less than one percent of those offenders received a sentence above the standard range, even fewer received sentences beyond 10 years, Schwarz wrote.

People who commit murder receive less time behind bars, he said Tuesday.

“It is property, not a life,” Schwarz said.

Appel wasn’t persuaded.

Nemra was given a chance to get treatment three years ago and he threw away the opportunity, the judge said.

“Prison is where criminals go and that’s where you’re going to go,” Appel said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.