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Ex-fund raiser gets 9 years for robberies By Chris Bristol of the Mail Tribune A Central Point man has been sentenced to almost nine years in prison for his role in a string of robberies last winter. Edward Charles Brissette, a former fund-raiser for the Salvation Army and other local charities, appeared Friday in federal court in Medford before U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken. The judge imposed a sentence of 106 months -- several years less than he could have gotten, considering his role in the robberies. Among the targets: the Medford Salvation Army office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Thomson told the court that Brissette's "assistance" was crucial in the arrests and prosecution of four co-defendants, who received prison sentences ranging from more than 10 years to 18 months. "It was Mr. Brissette's cooperation that made those cases possible," he said. Thomson described Brissette as "one of the primary people" in a loose-knit gang that authorities said was responsible for at least five armed robberies in November and December of 1998. Several other businesses were also robbed during that same period. At least two had nothing to do with Brissette's gang. Brissette pleaded guilty to two bank robberies: the Biddle Road branch of Liberty Federal Bank on Nov. 18 and the Western Bank in Gold Hill on Dec. 11. Bank robbery is a federal offense. He also pleaded guilty to a third federal charge -- using a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. In a 1997 Mail Tribune interview, Brissette said he joined the local Salvation Army as a client seeking relief from homelessness and alcoholism. He got a job as a warehouse worker and moved up to director of development. He left the program -- a spokesman said he was effective but "pushy" -- in April of 1998. Brissette also worked for several other charitable organizations -- including two agencies operated by the St. Vincent dePaul Society -- either as an employee or paid consultant. Before his arrest for robbery, he was already known to local authorities. He had been arrested four times in three years, mainly for drunken driving and other traffic-related offenses. Four others eventually pleaded guilty for their various roles in the holdups. They were: Darrin George DuBouch, who participated in the Western Bank heist. He got 10 years and three months in prison. Maria Elena Scribner, who pleaded guilty to three robberies, including the Nov. 4, 1998, stickup of the Lucky Dog Saloon in Medford. She got eight years and 10 months. Frank John Ennes, who was accused of disposing of a Taurus 9mm pistol that was used in the robberies. He got 21 months. Vanessa Dawn Davis, who was accused of participating in the Dec. 9 robbery of the Medford Salvation Army office. She got 18 months. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA