Theft defendant rejects plea offer

A Roachdale woman charged with Class D felony theft and a possible habitual offender designation has rejected a plea agreement offer extended to her by the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office.

The case of Jonella K. Wallace, 51, is now set to proceed to trial. Judge Matthew Headley set a trial date of May 13 for Wallace, with a final pretrial conference on April 23 and a cut off date of April 16 for any other plea agreements.

The case is being prosecuted by Putnam County Deputy Prosecutor Justin Long. Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said the offer to Wallace was likely verbal, as no agreements have been put in writing yet.

A Class D felony conviction is punishable by up to three years in jail. Should she be deemed a habitual offender, any sentence Wallace receives could be increased significantly.

Wallace told Headley she is caring for her elderly father, and that her mother is disabled and not able to leave her house.

Wallace was arrested at the Greencastle Wal-Mart store on Oct. 14. A report prepared by Greencastle Police Officer Darrell Bunten said he was dispatched to the store in reference to a shoplifter that had been detained by a loss prevention officer there.

"I arrived and observed management scanning the merchandise the subject attempted to leave the store with," Bunten's report said.

Court documents said the items Wallace allegedly tried to steal totaled $577. Bunten's report said Wallace admitted to the thefts at the scene.

"She stated she didn't have a job and was sorry for what she'd done," Bunten reported.

Wallace was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail. At her initial hearing on Oct. 16, her bond was set at $15,000 with 10 percent allowed. A bond reduction to $5,000 with 10 percent allowed was granted on Dec. 4, and Wallace posted bond and was released.

Wallace's criminal history includes convictions for misdemeanor operating while intoxicated, probation violations, felony illegal acquisition of a controlled substance and misdemeanor check deception, all in Montgomery County.

Wallace also has a charge of Class B misdemeanor public intoxication pending against her in Putnam County Circuit Court, which was transferred in from Putnam County Superior Court when the theft charge was filed in October. Wallace will be sentenced on that charge at the same time she is sentenced on the felony charge.