Town clerk sentenced for theft

The former Roachdale Town Clerk who pleaded guilty to one charge of theft was sentenced early Friday.

Jennifer Crum sat in front of Judge Robert Lowe in Superior Court Friday morning. The issue at hand was Crum's sentencing following her pleading guilty to the charge of theft.

In 2006, Crum initially paid herself two paychecks in a week.

"I was just trying to get by for the week on my bills," Crum said. "I wasn't being paid child support at the time."

The first instance was not the last though. Crum was alleged to have done this on six other occasions. The total for her overpayment was $3,720.

Two members of the Roachdale Town Council were present alongside their town lawyer.

Judge Lowe asked Roachdale town lawyer Tom Casey what he had to say on behalf of the town council. Casey started by admitting that the board did not want to see Crum go to prison. He then followed by stating that Crum caused Roachdale to be out $64,000.

When Judge Lowe asked if this was due to this case that she pleaded guilty to, the answer was no. The $64,000 was due to late tax filings and mismanagement of funds by Crum prior to the aforementioned theft. At that time, Lowe explained to the courtroom that he could not change the debt amount from $3,720 in the criminal case. The board may pursue a civil action against Crum to recoup these losses.

Prior to sentencing, Casey restated his remark regarding Crum.

"I do not want to see a mother separated from her children by going to jail," Casey said.

Judge Lowe took all aggravating and mitigating circumstances into account and told Crum that he believed she needed to see what jail was like.

Though, due to her cooperation, guilty plea and having no priors, he didn't believe community corrections would be of any benefit.

For the class-D felony charge of theft that Crum pleaded guilty to, Lowe sentenced her to two 48-hours sessions of weekend jail service at the Putnam County Jail.

She was also given probation for one and a half years and 40-hours of community service.

Crum will serve her first term beginning Friday Aug. 8, then again two weeks later on Friday, Aug. 22.