Ludington woman pleads guilty to retail fraud

Tonya Johnson with her attorney, Al Swanson, Jr.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Ludington woman faces a seven-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree retail fraud during a final conference hearing in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 9.

Tonya Ann Johnson was arrested, April 19, by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office after stealing “perfume, a sweatshirt and numerous items,” she testified, from the Ludington Walmart.

In exchange for her guilty plea to the five-year felony, her plea bargain includes a one-year discretionary jail term, serving seven months up front. She will also be ordered to pay $349 restitution to Walmart, which is joint and several with a co-defendant. Her circuit court sentence will run concurrent with a district court file, Judge Susan Sniegowski said. Johnson has a prior conviction in 2014 of second-degree retail fraud, Sniegowski added.

Johnson’s sentencing is set for, July 21, at 2:45 p.m.