A Bremerton man accused of harassing state Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Port Orchard, going back to early 2021 was sentenced to 17 months in prison Friday afternoon.
Isaiah Long, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking earlier this month in Kitsap County Superior Court, and prosecutors asked that he receive a 17-month prison sentence. Long’s attorney, public defender Paul Thimons, requested a six-month sentence.
Long repeatedly called and sent Caldier messages and continued contacting her even after he was warned and then ordered to stop, according to court documents. He then went to Caldier’s father’s home.
Caldier, appearing at the sentencing hearing on Zoom, told Judge Tina Robinson that words could not describe how Long had shattered her personal security.
“Since Mr. Long has been in custody, I’ve been able to sleep full nights,” she said. “I know that I’m not the first victim, in fact, after he pled guilty, I’ve had several people approach me that they were also victims as well. I hope that he can get the help he needs. I think the longer sentence, the more likely that he will be able to get help and also it will help make it so that myself, my family and the other victims are able to prepare for when he does get released and make sure that we can put something in place so that we can feel comfortable so that we can be in our own home and not have to worry about listening to something outside and thinking that he might be there.”
Long declined to make a statement during the hearing.
As part of a plea agreement, he agreed to submit to substance use disorder and mental health evaluations and to comply with recommended treatments. He was again ordered to not have contact with Caldier.
Thimons requested an exceptional sentence for Long, noting mental health problems the man had, arguing in court documents that he needed “rehabilitative programs and continued mental health treatment more than incarceration.”
He said that it appeared Long had initially come into contact with Caldier at a political rally and said he felt a connection with Caldier.
“For some reason Mr. Long thought there was more than there should have been, but this is based on his mental health problems,” Thimons said. “It’s not normal behavior, and so that’s why we’re seeking this.”
Thimons pointed to a competency evaluation conducted by a state psychologist, which found that while he was able to assist his attorney in his defense, he also appeared to meet the criteria for a psychotic disorder. The psychologist also found that Long “may have under-reported symptoms” and “appeared to be trying to make a favorable impression.”
In imposing the 17-month sentence, Robinson said she did not find that an exceptional sentence would be appropriate and said she believed that some of Long’s actions were extreme.
“The main action that was extreme was going to her father’s house,” Robinson said. “That, I think, was the real driving force in Ms. Caldier’s fear, is that you were bold enough to go to her father’s house. That took it to the next level. You’ve gone beyond phone calls and took action, going to try to find her.”
Robinson added: “It was more than just phone calls. It was phone calls that stripped her of her security and affected her ability to work. It had a significant impact, and I’m not sure that you still appreciate that impact.”