A Libby woman accused of breaking into a local business and stealing jewelry and cash last fall pleaded guilty and was sentenced June 26 in Lincoln County District Court.
Samantha Lee Nelson, 30, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received a six-month suspended sentence from Flathead District Court President Amy Eddy. The judge also ordered Nelson to pay $356 in restitution and other fines and fees.
Two other charges, including felony burglary and misdemeanor theft, were dismissed as part of the agreement between the county and Nelson Public Defender Ben Kolter.
According to a report by Libby Police Officer Ronald Buckner, dispatch was alerted to a burglary at a business that had been broken into on the evening of October 1, 2022.
Buckner spoke with the business owner and confirmed that a crime had been committed. Bucker wrote that he saw merchandise and clothing removed from shelves and thrown to the floor. He said about $200 in cash was missing from the register.
According to Buckner’s report, video surveillance showed a woman had entered the business through a back door.
Then, a short time later, Buckner was told that the person responsible for breaking into the business returned and was trying to re-enter the business. Bucker wrote that he viewed surveillance video and confirmed that the person was Nelson.
In his report, Buckner alleged that Nelson tampered with the store’s merchandise and damaged numerous items before making off with merchandise and cash. She also reported that Nelson was in possession of jewelry taken from the business when she was taken to the county jail.
Nelson was lodged in the county detention center at the time of the hearing, but the county sheriff’s office petitioned the court for release on his own recognizance on medical grounds, and U.S. District Judge Matt Cuffe grant it on October 24.
According to a court document, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Officer Michael Lupo wrote that “an emergency medical request was made due to ongoing issues with her pregnancy that we are not prepared to adequately address.” .
Nelson had faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted of the robbery charge.
