10 months for harassment, assault

NEWPORT — A 34-year-old man was sentenced to 10 months in jail by Pend Oreille County Superior Court Judge Lisa Malpass following his guilty pleas to second degree assault domestic violence and harassment of a corrections officer.

Fredric Hamberg was sentenced to 10 months on the assault charge and five months on the harassment charge. The sentences are to be served at the same time.

The harassment of a corrections officer involved an incident in the Pend Oreille County Jail July 17 in which jailers used a flashbang grenade to take control of Hamberg and another prisoner, Tony Lambert. Hamberg and Lambert had refused to comply with orders from the jailors and soaped themselves up so they couldn’t be easily grabbed, according to Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee in an interview with The Miner before the sentencing. He said that was the first time a flash bang grenade had been used in the jail. A flash bang grenade causes noise and a flash but is not designed to injure.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, a felony jail riot charge against Hamberg was not filed. Instead, he pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor charge of harassment and agreed to pay restitution to the county for any damage.

He also pleaded guilty to third degree assault that occurred in November 2024, for which he was sentenced to 10 months in jail. The Prosecuting attorney Dolly Hunt said that charged had been amended downward from second degree assault and she had spoken with the victim, who agreed with the sentence.

The sentencing range for Hamberg on the assault charge was 9-12 months and 0-364 days on the harassment charge.

Hunt said prior to sentencing that because the assault was a domestic violence assault, it was important that Hamberg complete one of the state certified programs on domestic violence. There would also be 12-months of community custody on the assault charge recommended, she said.

Hunt also said that corrections officers are just trying to do their jobs and keep everyone safe in a confined area.

“They don’t need this extra headache,” Hunt said.

Defense attorney Brett Billingsly said Hamberg did feel remorse over the crimes. The assault charge involved his baby’s mother.

Hamberg said he was trying to turn his life around.

“I am deeply sorry for my actions,’ he said. “I’m signed up for counseling.”

Hamberg said in the past he hadn’t set an appropriate support system. This time was different, he said. He said he had a place to live when he got out, as well as a job.

Malpass found that Hamberg was indigent, so didn’t have to pay any fines or court costs. He would have to pay restitution, if requested.

“I don’t have a lot of words of wisdom for you,” she said. “But it’s the first day of the rest of your life and there’s always an opportunity for redemption.”