Vancouver man who tried to bribe officer sentenced

A Vancouver man who attempted to bribe a police officer with cash during a traffic stop in Battle Ground was sentenced Wednesday to more than a year in custody.

Kelemete “Frankie” Gase, 28, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to attempted bribery and meth possession in a separate incident in November.

Court records show that Battle Ground Police Officer Robert Stucki pulled over Gase shortly after 5:15 a.m. Jan. 17 for driving at high speed in the 900 block of West Main Street and for failing to stay in his lane while turning onto Southwest Fifth Avenue.

While handing the officer his identification, Gase took money out of his wallet, folded it up and slipped it under the license, according to court documents.

When Stucki asked Gase what the money was for, Gase nodded his head and said, “for your coffee,” court records said. Stucki told Gase that he doesn’t accept bribes and gave the money back.

On Wednesday, Judge Scott Collier agreed to follow the attorneys’ agreed-upon recommendation of 15.75 months. Gase was given credit for some time served in each case.