Delta Junction man charged with weapons misconduct, robbery

Vasilyi Malyk was recently charged with first degree robbery and third-degree misconduct involving weapons. The charges stem from a call to Alaska State Troopers on May 20 regarding an armed robbery near Phillips Field Road in Fairbanks.

The 28-year-old Malyk, carrying an AR short barrel rifle, went to a home to get a pistol he claimed to own. When the pistol was not produced, Malyk threatened to shoot one of the resident’s kneecap if he did not pay for the missing pistol. The individual later testified that Malyk pointed the firearm at him, threatening to shoot him in the legs.

Malyk attempted to flee the troopers when they arrived but was detained, handcuffed, and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center for burglary, robbery, kidnapping, third-degree misconduct involving weapons, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and second degree terroristic threatening. He now faces charges of armed robbery and a Class C felony regarding a prohibited weapon. Malyk also admitted to consuming approximately two grams of meth.  

Malyk pleaded not guilty on June 3 but faced a bail of $150,000. In lieu of the bail, a request made for a third party custodian was denied August 21. 

This is not the first time the Delta Junction resident has faced run-ins with the law. He has been charged with arson, assault, parole violation, and DUI within the last ten years.

Vasilyi Malyk, then 16, was arrested in 2014 after the original Clearwater Lodge was lost to a fire he was accused of setting. He also faced additional charges of arson when he attempted to burn a neighboring home, causing extensive damage. Malyk went on to plead guilty in April 2016 to a single consolidated count of Arson in the First Degree for setting fire to the two structures. Since the Alaska judicial system allows those sentenced to serve only two thirds of their sentence if they showed acceptable behavior while incarcerated, Malyk was eligible for release immediately following the court hearing. Presiding Judge Jane Kauvar said Malyk’s behavior while in jail was exemplary and he was a good candidate for rehabilitation.  Malyk was sentenced to eight years in prison with five and one-half years suspended. However, the time Malyk spent in jail awaiting an outcome to his case fulfilled his active sentence, and he was released following the court hearing.

Malyk found himself back in jail in 2018 for violating conditions of his parole. He tested positive for meth and was found guilty of attempting to cover up his drug use by smuggling in a clean urine sample. 

He later faced charges of assaulting and threatening a neighbor who testified against him in the arson case. Now 21, Malyk was indicted on charges of felony third-degree assault and misdemeanor fourth-degree assault for allegedly trying to stab his neighbor after a confrontation in the man’s driveway. Malyk’s neighbor told troopers Malyk was walking around the neighborhood with three backpacks and acting weird. According to a June 2019 Fairbanks News Miner story the man told Malyk to leave. But Malyk dropped the bags and walked up the neighbor’s driveway, alerting the neighbor’s dog. Malyk pulled out a knife, threatening to “smoke” the dog. The man told Malyk to leave his property, and Malyk responded saying, "after you pay for it, your family is going to pay even more." Malyk attempted to stab the man multiple times while the man fought back. In the meantime, the man’s 12-year-old son called the State Troopers. Malyk was prepared to plead guilty to the felony assault charge in return for a sentence of 12 months. The terms of the agreement specified that Malyk would not be required to serve any of the suspended time in his prior arson conviction. Superior Court Judge Michael MacDonald objected to the lenient sentencing, expressing concern over Malyk’s mental health, violent behavior, and possible danger to the community. The judge requested Assistant District Attorney Risa Leonard to justify the plea agreement, pointing out the aggravated nature of the assault offense, Malyk’s rejection of probation, and the fact that he’d picked up another felony while on probation for the Delta Junction arson case. 

Malyk’s trial date for his most recent charges is scheduled for November 9.

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