CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Another robbery suspect charged

“If he is out of custody, he is committing violent crimes. If he is supervised, he is committing violent crimes.” That’s how prosecutors describe 19-year-old John Leota, a West Seattle resident, in the robbery charge just filed against him. Leota is one of the additional potential suspects under investigation in the recent robbery “spree.” He was jailed a week ago in connection with warrants on other pending cases, then charged today with one of the holdups in that “spree,” at a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop downtown in September. Others who allegedly participated in the holdup include the 17-year-old recently arrested by SWAT officers at his High Point home and charged in the Lucky 5 robbery in West Seattle. Other cases pending against Leota include a street robbery in North Seattle, domestic violence, and shoplifting thousands of dollars in merchandise from grocery and music stores. His bail was set today at $300,000 and he remains in the King County Jail.

Patrick December 20, 2019 (7:23 am)

I wish I had faith in our judicial system(more specifically the many ideological people that sit in positions of power currently), to feel confident that, if convicted, this individual would spend the maximum amount of time in prison that the law allows. Unfortunately, I will not be a bit surprised to see the same name listed again in the news within six months.

KT December 20, 2019 (8:11 am)

First we have to hope he is actually prosecuted for all offenses and not given a ridiculous plea bargain. Plea bargains may be a useful tool in the criminal justice system but there are cases where it makes absolutely no sense. So let’s hope.

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