A Red Wing woman accused of bilking a vulnerable adult out of more than $1,800 made her first court appearance.Tara Christianson, 34, was charged in October with felony theft and exploitation of a vulnerable adult, also a felony.
According to a criminal complaint, Lutheran Social Services officials began investigating Christianson in February 2008 after a $500 church donation was flagged. Christianson had been assigned by LSS to help with the 50-year-old man's finances.
LSS turned the case over to a Department of Human Services investigator, who later referred the case to police after determining financial exploitation had occurred.
If convicted, Christianson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
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Red Wing Woman Charged With Theft From Vulnerable Adult
Whenever I read the maximum penalty (in this case 10 years), I think oh boy, that's what he/she deserves.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is most of the time, they get the maximum penalty converted to months: 10 months instead of 10 years.
Even worse stand up is when the weak punishment, the no sentence is probation. Now, that keeps me steaming.
ReplyDeleteI agree the max should be the norm when the victim is especially vulnerable, aged or incpacitated - no mercy whatsoever!!!