Spokane Man Gets 14 Years For Espresso Stand Robbery

Clinton Nagel will spend nearly a month behind bars for every dollar he stole from a West Francis espresso stand.

The Spokane man was sentenced Tuesday to 14 years and three months in prison for stealing $181 from On The Go Espresso.

Armed with a shotgun, Nagel drove his pickup to the stand on Nov. 16 and demanded cash, authorities said. He and a teenage accomplice were arrested later that night.

No shots were fired during the holdup, but Deputy Prosecutor Steve Tucker sought the high end of the sentencing range for armed robbery, citing the defendant’s 11 prior burglary convictions.

Nagel’s lawyer did not oppose the sentence, imposed by Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen.

Assistant Public Defender Richard Fasy blamed his client’s addiction to drugs and booze for the forays into crime.

Born in Vancouver, Wash., Nagel, 32, is a former health club manager, Fasy said.

Robbery accomplice James Suggs, 19, has pleaded guilty to rendering criminal assistance. He isn’t likely to see any more jail time, Tucker said.