A woman who stole almost $2,000 worth of gift certificates from the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau was sentenced to three years probation Monday in Blaine County 5th District Court.
Sheena M. Stevens, a 23-year-old Bellevue woman, earlier pleaded guilty to felony grand theft by embezzlement. Stevens stole the "Chamber Choice Gift Certificates," which come in $25 denominations, when employed with the chamber in November 2007.
"I'm really deeply sorry," a tearful Stevens told chamber representatives who attended Monday's court hearing.
Judge Robert J. Elgee said he was lenient with the sentence because Stevens has no prior criminal convictions.
"I hope you've learned from this," Elgee said. "And I want to stress with you that a second offense is much worse than a first offense."
Stevens was also given a withheld judgment, which means the conviction will be removed from her record if the court determines that she successfully met the terms of her probation. She was further ordered to provide 48 hours of community service and to pay restitution of $1,925 to the chamber.
The money was repaid on Monday.
"I know that Ms. Stevens really worked hard to raise those funds for the restitution today," said public defender Dan Dolan. "I think she really struggles with what she did."
Stevens' guilty plea was in accord with an agreement with the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
"This is one of those cases where you have an employee stealing from her employer, and those are of concern," said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Fredback.
Sheena M. Stevens
