Dateline — A Paullina woman has been sentenced on theft charges after she stole money from the Primghar Jaycees.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s office, 37-year-old Melinda Wester of Paullina was arrested in December of last year.
In his statement, the deputy stated that Wester took cash and used a bank debit card from the Primghar Jaycees for personal gains and purchases while acting as the treasurer of that organization. The personal spending and cash theft exceeded $10,000, according to the deputy. He said that she altered and/or destroyed multiple receipts to hide transactions, and on multiple occasions returned merchandise that was purchased for the Jaycees and received store credit, which she used for personal use.
Wester was initially charged with first-degree theft, a class C felony, and ongoing criminal conduct, a class B felony. If she had been convicted on both charges, she could have faced up to 35 years in prison.
But, in a plea agreement, she agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge and have the more serious charge dismissed. She agreed to be sentenced to a suspended 10-year prison term and three years of probation. She will also obtain a mental health evaluation and undergo treatment. And the judge ordered her to write a letter of apology to the Primghar Jaycees. She also needs to pay the Primghar Jaycees $21,000.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
