EVERETT — A former convict is in trouble again, three years after he was sentenced to prison for threatening a nurse who thought he was joking about naming his newborn after mob boss John Gotti.
John C. Keinath, 42, aka “Road Flare,” was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Friday for investigation of eluding police, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing stolen property.
His arrest came three days after he allegedly drove a motorcycle more than 100 mph on Highway 9 to escape from Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies.
The chase touched off a ruckus that included helicopters buzzing overhead and a bunch of angry bees.
The chase started with a call to the 9200 block of 42nd Street NE in Lake Stevens after a report of a disturbance.
Law officers, as well as two Homeland Security helicopters, searched the area where the motorcycle was abandoned near the 2700 block of 116th Street NE west of Marysville. During the search, which started around 1:30 p.m July 16, two deputies were stung several times after they disturbed a nest of bees or hornets. The search was suspended about four hours later.
A witness said the suspect knocked on his door while holding a handgun. He later saw the man running into the woods.
A judge on Monday found that police established probable cause for Keinath’s arrest. His bail was maintained at $50,000.
The suspect had an injured left leg and used a wheelchair during a brief court hearing Monday.
Keinath was convicted in 2010 of harassment and possessing a controlled substance. He has done three stints in prison and had previous convictions for assault, a drive-by shooting and attempting to elude police. One of the assaults involved him swinging a piece of pipe.
Keinath in March 2010 reportedly flew into a rage when a nurse laughed about his choice of baby names, thinking he was telling a joke. At sentencing, she filed a letter with the court, describing how terrifying she’s found the ordeal, particularly after Keinath tracked her down at home and left a message on her phone.
“I have no illusions that John Keinath’s threat against my life will ever go away,” the nurse wrote. “It will be a lifelong burden, especially when he is not in prison. I wonder how it is that a person with a record of such violent crimes was free in the first place … I am hopeful that our legal system has an antidote for this violent criminal.”
Gotti revolved in and out of prison several times, too, before he rose to the top spot in New York’s Gambino crime family. He became infamous as the “Dapper Don,” a nod to his wardrobe and flashy style. Later he was dubbed the “Teflon Don” when he beat the rap in some high-profile case. Gotti died in 2002. He spent the final decade of his life behind bars after being convicted of ordering mob hits.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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