Bee Staff
A 38-year-old Roseville man who was convicted of a third felony strike by a jury was sentenced today by a Placer County judge to 181 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Daniel Phillip Ragan was unable to persuade Superior Court Judge Charles Wachob to dismiss previous strikes and to grant him probation or a lesser prison sentence, according to a news release from the DA's office.
A jury found Ragan guilty on August 11 of 13 charges that included a variety of drug counts and the illegal possession of weapons.
In denying Ragan's request for leniency, Wachob, who also imposed fines and restitution of more than $10,000, noted the defendant's lengthy criminal history and his ongoing recidivism, the release sates.
"The sentence for this defendant is a just one," said Placer County Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Macumber. "Mr. Ragan is definitely the kind of recidivist offender for whom the three-strike law was created. Society needs to be protected against him for as long as possible."
The jury convicted Ragan on eight felony counts, each of which carried a potential maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, the release states.
The jury also found that two special allegations that Ragan committed a felony while out on bail were true, and the defendant admitted that he had two prior strikes and had served two prior prison terms, the release states.
His previous prison sentences were for voluntary manslaughter with use of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and attempted car burglary, the release states.
Ragan's more recent troubles began on Aug. 1, 2007, when he was arrested for possession of drugs.
Later that month while out on bail, Ragan was rearrested after law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant and found drugs and weapons in his home.
After meeting bail again, Ragan was arrested during a traffic stop on Sept. 14, 2007. Officers said he was driving under the influence of drugs and that drugs were found in the vehicle. On his belt, Ragan was wearing brass knuckles, which are an illegal weapon, Macumber said.
The jury deliberated three days in a two-week trial before returning the guilty verdicts on charges that included possession and transportation of drugs, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of metal knuckles and maintaining a place where drugs were being used, the release states.
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