The man who stole more than $37,000 worth of electronics and Joey Harrington memorabilia from Autzen Stadium will spend a total of six years and five months in prison, according to a Eugene Police Department press release.
Eugene police caught Billy Jess Barnard, 21, on Dec. 20 after he failed to appear for a September sentencing, EPD Detective Scott Thomas said. Barnard had evaded police for more than three months.
In a December court appearance, Barnard was sentenced to four years and 10 months for a series of burglaries committed between January and June 2004. He was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, eluding police and reckless driving in connection with an incident in September in which an officer tried to stop him for a traffic violation, according to the press release.
Barnard was also charged with harassment for making threatening statements on his Web site, according to the release.
After pleading guilty to all of the new charges, Barnard received the additional year and seven months last week, according to the release.
Police caught Barnard at West 18th Avenue and Bailey Hill Road after receiving a tip that he was staying at a house there, Thomas said. He was caught with a stolen vehicle and a pair of brass knuckles at that time, Thomas said.
Police had been searching for Barnard since September and had received several tips about his whereabouts, but none of the information provided solid leads until December, Thomas said.
Barnard created a Web site in 2005 on which he posted photos of himself smoking marijuana. Also on the site, Barnard displayed photos of a pistol and wrote “And No I’me (sic) Not Legally Allowed To Own One And Don’t Give A FUCK!”
Barnard made threats against several people whom he suspected of turning him in to police on the site, and his Internet service provider took down the site because of the content. Police provided the Emerald with a copy of the Web site.
Barnard stole computer equipment, jerseys, jewelry and merchandise signed by former Ducks quarterback Joey Harrington from Autzen Stadium in 2004.
Police recovered approximately two-thirds of the stolen objects, about $25,000 worth, but several pieces of expensive electronic equipment were never recovered, Thomas said.
“He was able to pass himself off as a football player,” Thomas said. “No one asked any questions about him being there.”
Thomas said Barnard was never a student or employee at the University.

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