James and Angela Faire
It’s a sunny day in Western Washington, but no ordinary day for James and Angela Faire. Today, the Faires celebrate a mini Freedomversary. What exactly is meant by a “Freedomversary?” Simply put, it marks a milestone that the Faires hope to be one step closer to being free from the egregious criminal charges that have been unfairly placed upon them. Read the backstory on how the Okanogan County Sherriff’s department was deceived by a false report perpetrated by a con-artist and a group of conspirators.
Life with Leg Iron
Faire shows GPS enabled electronic home monitoring device.
Although James Faire had been released on bail in February of 2016, he was burdened with wearing an electronic ankle monitoring device which tracked his every move. Faire was required to report every move he made, in advance, to the Okanogan branch of Friendship Diversion Services (FDS).
To the reader, this may sound like a minor inconvenience considering Faire was out of jail. The ankle device, aka: modern day leg iron, is bulky and contains a speaker. This device is how people from Trakker Services would communicate with Faire almost on a daily, sometimes two or three times a day. If Trakker Services is making contact, it is because the agency believes Faire is out of his restricted area. Even thought Faire would inform the FDS case worker of his movement, there seemed to be a constant breakdown of communicate between FDS and Trakker Services.
Imagine driving a diesel pickup truck and your leg start to vibrate? Is it the truck? Or, is it Trakker Services calling? If it is Trakker Services, it usually meant a heavy accent that was difficult to understand. Add the distraction of a vibrating leg signaling an issue of movement, a heavy accent, a loud diesel engine and being in heavy I-5 traffic. Distracted driving, anyone? Don’t forget, all of this at gunpoint (figuratively) with the threat of going back to jail. The stress and anxiety level of the Faires was off the chart anytime there was interaction with Trakker Services.
Angela Faire recalls an instance where Trakker Services made contact with James while they were eating dinner in the trailer that they currently call home. Another time at approximately 3:30 AM, Trakker Services “rang” and informed a now awakened James (Faire) he was “out of his area.” Angela states, “The most disturbing interaction with Trakker Services was while James was having dental work done. Imagine being in the dental chair with sharp dental instruments in your mouth and the dentist or hygienist is startled by your leg talking.”
Faires Declare Victory
Attorney Stephen Pidgeon
Judge Christopher Culp
On October 28, 2016, James Faire, Attorney Stephen Pidgeon and a gallery of supporters were in Okanogan County Superior Court for a special set hearing. Faire, his wife, Angela, and supporters were led in prayer by family friend, Grant Seim. Attorney Pidgeon moved the court to remove the leg iron. Of course, the former prosecutor, Karl Sloan, was opposed. On that day, the Faires prevailed and Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Christopher Culp, ordered the removal of the intrusive ankle device.
Case Status
Just prior to vacating the elected position of Okanogan County Prosecutor, Karl Sloan dropped the charges against the Faires from 1st Degree Theft to 2nd Degree Theft. Newly appointed prosecutor, Branden Platter, has made a plea offer to Angela which has been rejected. James awaits a decision from the Supreme Court of the United States on whether the high court will accept his petition for writ of certiorari.
Meanwhile, the citizenry of Okanogan County wonder if Prosecutor Branden Platter is on the side of truth and justice or does he suffer from confirmation bias. For more on that story, turn to the latest US~Observer investigative report.
What You Can Do to Help
There are many ways to help James and Angela Faire as they continue to fight these false charges and malicious prosecution.
- Share this article. We are all connected by “six degrees of separation.”
- Subscribe to this page and stay up to date on the cases.
- Pray and pray often that God will move the hearts of the decision makers in Okanogan to bring charges to the responsible parties and release the Faires from the erroneous charges.
- Make a donation, every dollar helps James and Angela fight these charges.
