A 29-year-old Oak Harbor man accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash got a relatively lenient plea deal because he’s facing even bigger trouble in Alaska.

Shaun Gould pleaded guilty in Island County Superior Court June 29 to theft in the second degree. He was originally charged with first-degree theft, forgery and identity theft in the first degree.

Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Colleen Kenimond said Gould is wanted in Alaska for identity theft and first-degree assault. She said she decided to dismiss some charges as part of the plea bargain so that “he will sooner be on his way.”

Also, she said it was an “odd case” because some of the events occurred in Skagit County, which would havecomplicated prosecution.

The prosecution and defense recommended a two-month sentence and the judge agreed. Gould also has to pay $1,217 in fines and fees, plus restitution.

According to court documents, an Oak Harbor woman reported March 8 that someone stole $27,000 in cash from her home. She was an employee of Touch Pay; her job was to collect money from kiosks at jails in Skagit and Whatcom counties. For some reason, she brought the money home with her, the report states.

Gould was the woman’s boyfriend at the time of the theft. A detective discovered that Gould, who didn’t have a job, bought a 2000 Mustang shortly after the theft. He paid cash and used a stolen ID, court documents indicate.