March 2, 2004
A
28-year-old Bonners Ferry woman was handed a three- to seven-year sentence with
jurisdiction retained by Judge Steven Verby after she pled guilty to grand theft
December 17, 2003, to forging as many as 65 Western Union money orders while
working as a cashier at Zip Trip in Bonners Ferry.
Under retained jurisdiction, Hacker, also known as Michelle Frank and Michelle Hacker, will serve a six-month “rider” at a women’s detention facility in Pocatello. If she successfully completes the “boot camp” program, she could be eligible for parole.
Ian Johnstone, vice president of Zip Trip Food Stores, sought full restitution of $30,643 that was taken by Hacker over a period of about a year, and he said that because of the malice and intent required to commit the repeated thefts, a significant term of incarceration was warranted.
In her confession, Hacker admitted that she stole the money by printing money orders for deposit in her bank account several times over the course of a year. She said the thefts started when she and her husband tried to purchase the house they were living in, and she hid the thefts from him by telling him it was part of a loan she was to have taken but didn’t. Later, she continued taking money orders to buy a season pass at Schweitzer, along with snowboarding gear and lessons for her family, Christmas presents, even a trip to New York.
Prosecutor Jack Douglas recommended a straight three- to seven-year prison term with no probation and no local time.
“In my mind, over $30,000 in thefts over a one-year period and done over 20 different days for a total of 65 thefts is just too serious and too much a betrayal of trust,” he said.
Judge Verby, noting that Hacker had no prior criminal history, elected to retain jurisdiction. He also ordered her to pay $30,643 in restitution.