Canadian man who swam across St. Clair River to steal gun sentenced to prison
A Canadian citizen who entered the United States to rob a pawn shop was sentenced to one year in prison Tuesday.
Jeremy Wallace, 24, will also have to serve a year of probation and face deportation after his release.
Wallace was arrested in September after he swam across the St. Clair River to East China Township, then walked for 13 hours to New Haven where he stole a gun from a local pawn shop. Wallace later told police he planned to return across the border with the gun, but officers caught and arrested him in New Haven.
Wallace pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm in exchange for the prosecution dropping his illegal entry charge.
The defense and prosecution's arguments in the case focused on whether Wallace's mental health should be factored into his sentencing. Defense Attorney James Gerometta argued against a prison sentence, saying it would allow Gerometta to be deported immediately and faces criminal charges in Canada.
Wallace had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and had not been using medication before the robbery. Gerometta argued Wallace had improved since his arrest, and that he would be unlikely to repeat his crime if he received proper treatment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Fairchild, however, said Wallace had carefully thought out his plan to cross the border and steal a gun, having worn a wetsuit and brought a hammer to help him enter the pawn shop. Wallace also had several other items including nine .22 caliber bullets and a crossbow pistol.
"Although Wallace suffers from some mental issues, it is clear from the crime committed that he wasfully aware of his actions, undertook considerable effort and planning to orchestrate the scheme and was clever enough to carry it out." Fairchild wrote in a memorandum explaining her stance.
Fairchild also revealed Wallace had allegedly planned to kill somebody in Canada with the stolen gun upon his return.
Wallace is expected to face criminal charges in Canada once he returns, including for violating his probation in another case.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Canadian man who swam across St. Clair River to steal gun sentenced to prison
