| Woman faces felony public assistance theft charge |
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Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009 4:28 pm
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ST. PETER — A 24-year old St. Peter woman has been charged with a felony for allegations she failed to report unemployment benefits she received from the state of Illinois when applying for public assistance in Minnesota after moving her in 2008.
LaShaunda Renee Richardson is charged in Nicollet County District Court with felony theft by wrongfully obtaining public assistance (value greater than $5,000). If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Richardson will make her first court appearance on November 17.
Court records show a Nicollet County Social Services investigator contacted the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office on August 3 after they were advised that Richardson’s financial worker suspected she had failed to provide proper financial information when Richardson applied to receive benefits in Nicollet County when she moved here in January 2008.
During an interview with Richardson, investigators learned she had been employed in Illinois prior to moving to Minnesota and explained after she quit her job she received unemployment benefits from the state of Illinois of about $600 every two weeks.
It was confirmed that Richardson did not report that income, as she was required to do, when applying for benefits in Nicollet County.
A subsequent investigation determined Richardson had received approximately $11,735 in assistance while living in Minnesota.
In other court news:
• Charles Allen Simmons, 43, of North Mankato, is charged with felony fifth degree possession of methamphetamine and gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation.
One October 22, North Mankato Police stopped the vehicle Simmons was driving at 7:38 p.m. because one of the vehicle’s headlights was out.
As the officer approached the vehicle he observed the driver moving around a lot inside the van and appeared to be reaching in or near the vehicle’s center console. Simmons also appeared nervous when the officer was talking with him and would not make eye contact with the officer.
The officer also observed multiple lighters, tools and butane refill containers scattered about inside the vehicle. That type of evidence is commonly found at a location where narcotics are used.
A search of Simmons turned up more lighters and during a search of the vehicle several other items, including a digital scale, several small plastic baggies and cut up pieces of straw were also found. Investigators later did a more thorough search of Simmons’ cloths and found a small baggie with a white to clear substance inside which later tested positive for meth. It was later determined the substance was .6 grams.
Felony fifth degree possession of methamphetamine carries a maximum penaltNothy of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The gross misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
• Jesse Jon Lundgren, 31, North Mankato, has been charged with gross misdmeanor second degree driving while impaired.
On Oct. 25, North Mankato Police stopped the vehicle Lundgren was driving at 1:37 a.m. after observing him roll through a red light while turning off Webster Avenue onto Highway 169 and weave between lanes while on Highway 169 and the Vet’s Bridge. He failed several field sobriety tests including a preliminary breath test which registered a .157. An Intoxilyzer 5000 test later indicated Lundgren had a blood alcohol content of .16. A check on Lundgren’s record revealed two prior DWI convictions — in June 2002 and June 2005.
The maximum penalty for gross misdemeanor second degree driving while intoxicated is one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. Lundgren has a Rule 8 hearing set for November 9.
• Patrick Henry Kroenke, 48, of St. Peter, has been charged with gross misdemeanor third degree driving while impaired.
Court records show on September 28 that St. Peter Police stopped the vehicle Kroenke was driving at 11:06 p.m. after it was observed drifting toward the centerline after pulling away from the intersection of South Third Street and Grace Street. Kroenke failed several field sobriety tests including a preliminary breath test which registered .185. An Intoxilyzer 5000 test indicated Kroenke had a blood alcohol content of .20.
The maximum penalty for gross misdemeanor third degree driving while intoxicated is one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. Kroenke’s first court appearance is set for December 1.
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