Woman gets deferred sentence for theft, burglary
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON – A St. Ignatius woman received two six-year deferred sentences for accountability to theft and burglary last week. The sentences will run concurrently.
Christina Suzzette Umphrey, 33, had been charged for her part in the theft of $13,285 of cash, checks and cigarettes from Rod’s Harvest Foods in St. Ignatius on Nov. 12, 2016.
Another charge of accountability for burglary and a possession of dangerous drugs charge were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Her attorney, Britt Cotter, said she failed to complete a program at the Montana Chemical Dependency Center in Butte but successfully completed 29 days at Sundown Ranch in Yakima, Washington.
Judge James A. Manley noted it was Umphrey’s first felony and said she didn’t even have a traffic ticket conviction previously. He said she could be released early from her sentence if she pays off the restitution prior to termination of the six-year sentence.
Also charged in the case was Joshua Louis Durglo, 23.
According to court records, a masked person – who was seen communicating on a walkie-talkie – used a key to enter the store at 5:11 a.m. and a six-digit passcode to unlock a safe.
A store security video showed Umphrey writing down security numbers on Oct. 24, 2016, according to a court document.
Police searched the couple’s home and found $1,600 in cash in a speaker and numerous drug paraphernalia items, and Umphrey admitted to using methamphetamine, court records state.
A cell phone was seized and it showed a text message from Umphrey to Durglo at 1:44 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2016 that said, “I hope I got the right combo and it goes as smooth as butter,” according to a court document.
The couple were also charged in relation to the theft of an Xbox entertainment system from a St. Ignatius home on Nov. 11, 2016. Umphrey had Facebook messaged Durglo about a woman being in the store on that date, according to a court document.
Durglo’s trial date is Dec. 4.
