Woman pays restitution in debit card theft
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A Ronan woman had the imposition of sentencing deferred for a period of six years and was ordered to pay restitution of $11,060.11 during a sentencing hearing at District Court in Polson on Sept. 16.
Karen Michelle Gohl-Powell, 31, had entered a plea of guilty in July to felony deceptive practices for making unauthorized transactions on a stolen debit card.
According to court records, on Jan. 10, the married couple that holds the account for the debit card reported that it had been taken and unauthorized transactions totaling more the $7,000 started showing up. The unauthorized transactions started showing up Dec. 20, 2019, and continued through Jan. 10, 2020.
Ronan Police were able to determine, from surveillance video and receipts from various businesses, that Gohl-Powell had made the purchases. The card’s account holders told police that they recognized Gohl-Powell from the church where they worked.
On Jan. 10, a search of of the residence where Gohl-Powell was staying turned up items purchased with the stolen card. A receipt for a $200 cash withdrawal, using the card, was found in Gohl-Powell’s purse.
