Ludington woman avoids prison in uttering/publishing, larceny cases

Kayleigh Clark with her attorney, Doug Stevenson.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 26-year-old Ludington woman faces serving 11 months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence after pleading guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 20, to a felony of uttering and publishing and a misdemeanor of larceny under $200.

Kayleigh Lynn Clark, of 707 W. Ludington Ave., appeared in court for a final conference hearing with her attorney, Doug Stevenson before Mason County Probate Judge Jeffrey Nellis. Circuit Court Judge Susan K. Sniegowski recused herself from the case.

Clark was originally facing up to 21 years in prison for uttering and publishing and second-offense habitual offender. Uttering and publishing is felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and her habitual-offender status elevated the maximum to 21 years in prison, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

As part of her plea agreement, Clark’s habitual offender status was dismissed.

In a separate file, Clark was initially charged with a four-year felony of larceny in a building and second-offense habitual offender. Those charges were dismissed when she pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of larceny under $200. She faces a concurrent sentence of 93 days in jail.

Clark also faces a second-degree retail fraud charge in 79th District Court, which will run concurrently to her circuit court case.

She will be ordered to pay nearly $180 in restitution to three victims as part of her sentence.

Clark testified Tuesday that on May 29, 2014 she wrote a check for $78.92 to Hungry Howie’s restaurant by signing someone else’s name. She also testified that on Feb. 14, 2015, she stole gloves and a smoking pipe from the Ludington Public Library.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. Clark remains lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $50,000/cash/surety bond.