TS - Veteran deputy district attorney leaves office

Veteran deputy district attorney leaves office
Chris Durant The Times-Standard
12/08/2005 04:28:54 AM

One of the Humboldt County deputy district attorneys most respected by law enforcement is no longer with the office. Heather Gimle's last day as a prosecutor for the people was Nov. 30.

"She was great," said agent Ron Prose of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force. "She did an excellent job. She did what she was supposed to do, advocate for the people." Gimle twice won the Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Northern California region of the California Narcotics Officers Association, in 2003 and 2004, and the Task Force worked with her almost exclusively for three years. But, Prose said, she was transferred off "white drugs" -- such as cocaine and methamphetamine -- about three months ago.

Deputy District Attorney Worth Dikeman confirmed Gimle was transferred off prosecuting "white drugs" and he was now the drug prosecutor. "I have one homicide case that has yet to be set for trial," Dikeman said. "Other than that, it's all white dope."

Prose said Gimle always kept the agents informed on all aspects of cases and was easy to get hold of during nonbusiness hours. "Communication was always open," Prose said.

Eureka Police Detective Dave Parris said he worked with Gimle on one of her last cases. "It's a tremendous loss to the office," Parris said. "She was highly competent, one of their most veteran felony attorneys."

Gimle has been hired by the Harland Law Firm in Eureka, which is the same law firm that hired former Deputy District Attorney Allison Jackson when she was fired from the office in 2004.

In a phone message, Gimle said she was excited about her new job and she would be working on business and corporate law cases.

"I won't go into specifics about my move," Gimle said. "I felt it was time for me to move on."

Gimle started with the DA's office in December 1999, after two summers of interning there. She said she learned a lot under the guidance of the senior deputies and district attorneys she worked for. "I enjoyed working with law enforcement too," Gimle said.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos, in an e-mail, said that Gimle was prosecuting marijuana cases at the time she left.

"Heather was a dedicated prosecutor, a hard worker, and a very pleasant person to work with," Gallegos wrote. "We wish her well in her new career and expect that she will do well in whatever area of law she chooses to practice in."

Chris Durant is public safety, criminal courts and general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 441-0506 or cdurant@times-standard.com.