Attempted theft scheme aimed at acquiring drug money.

Jason Carr with his attorney, Douglas Stevenson.

#MasonCountyNews #CourtNews

Attempted theft scheme aimed at acquiring drug money.

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Pere Marquette Township man was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Nov. 15, to serve 90 days up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for two counts of attempted uttering and publishing.

Jason L. Carr, of 1485 Betty Ave., pleaded guilty to the charges last October.

Carr and co-defendant James Phillip Biggin III, 30, of Ludington, used receipts last December for items purchased by others at Walmart in an attempt to get cash refunds for items they stole from the shelves, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. The scheme was aimed at gaining money in order to buy drugs, Spaniola said.

“Mr. Carr attempted to return property with a receipt with items that were taken off the shelf,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. However, “he did not leave the store with a financial gain.”

Biggin was sentenced to serve 10 months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for a conviction of uttering and publishing.

Carr was initially charged with two counts of uttering and publishing and second-degree retail fraud, but those charges were dismissed in a plea agreement.

Carr was ordered to pay restitution of $70.70 to Walmart

“Substance abuse is his number-one problem,” said Carr’s attorney Douglas Stevenson.

Carr, who received 82 days served in jail, was also sentenced to 18 months probation. His jail terms run concurrently for both counts.