Judge gives runaway, 10, another chance

TACOMA — A 10-year-old Tacoma boy who has twice managed to skirt airport security — once even finagling his way aboard two flights — has been granted one more chance at escaping a criminal conviction.

On Monday, Pierce County Superior Court Judge John McCarthy denied a motion by juvenile prosecutors to find Semaj Booker in violation of deferred-prosecution conditions he had been placed on after stealing a car last year and sentence the boy to detention. Prosecutors said Semaj violated those conditions last month when he ran away from home and tried to sneak aboard a flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

McCarthy heard from an advocate, a counselor, a probation officer and others who are working to stabilize the boy and his family before making his ruling.

Edwin J. Wea, a guardian ad litem with Pierce County Juvenile Court, described Semaj and his four siblings as generally well-behaved and "magnificently bright" children. He also said that while the family has limited financial means, Semaj's mother is "doing a good job."

"There are a team of people here who want to see you succeed," McCarthy told Semaj. He then ordered the boy to obey his mother, follow his curfew, be a good student and get involved in some wholesome summer activities. The judge also scheduled a hearing in September to check on the boy's progress.

Semaj (pronounced Sama-jay) made national headlines in January 2007 when he ran away from his Pierce County home, caught a bus to Sea-Tac and managed to get onto a flight to Phoenix and then a second flight to San Antonio, Texas.

Semaj, who was detained by authorities in San Antonio when he tried to board a plane to Dallas, said he wanted to see his grandfather.

The day before his cross-country adventure, Semaj — who was then 9 — had been arrested by police after stealing a neighbor's car and leading police on a high-speed chase. He was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission, eluding police and driving without a license.

Rather than send the boy to a juvenile-detention center, he was given a deferred prosecution and ordered to stay out of trouble for two years.

However, he got into trouble again when he left the family's Tacoma home around 11 p.m. on May 26, walked to the Lakewood bus transit center, took a bus to Sea-Tac and got through security without a boarding pass.

King County prosecutors declined to file charges against Semaj in connection with the most recent incident.

According to the boy's mother and his probation officer, Semaj was trying to get to Minnesota to help an older half-sibling who'd gone missing during a storm when he took off this time.

"He has assumed the role of protector of his family at this time," said Wea.

But Fred Wist, Pierce County deputy prosecutor in charge of juvenile convictions, said the boy's actions were dangerous and potentially criminal and may show that he hasn't learned from the past.

He argued that the boy lied to airport officials when caught and that his actions violated conditions set in the deferred-prosecution agreement.

Wist also said that while prosecutors are loath to put children as young as Semaj in detention, they are also concerned about his welfare if they do nothing.

Semaj's attorney, Brett Purtzer, said he believes Semaj has learned his lesson this time.

He said the boy and his mother, Sakinah Booker, are both receptive to additional help, guidance and services.

Christine Clarridge can be reached at 206-464-8983 or at cclarridge@seattletimes.com