Manistee woman sentenced for writing bad checks

Manistee woman sentenced for writing bad checks

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON –– A 30-year-old Manistee woman was sentenced to 90 days on a tether for a felony conviction of uttering and publishing Tuesday, April 30, in 51st Circuit Court.

Amy Lynn Witkowski, of 276 1/2 11th St., pleaded guilty to the charge last March.

Due to Witkowski’s “high-risk pregnancy,” Judge Susan K. Sniegowski ordered a tether in lieu of an upfront 90-day jail term of a one-year discretionary sentence. However, a 60-day jail term could be imposed at a later date. The judge imposed 60 days, but did not give court date, so the matter can be reviewed in four months to determine if jail time needs to be imposed.

“These are very serious allegations, and there needs to be a jail component with it,” Sniegowski said.

Witkowski testified last month that she stole checks from a vehicle in Manistee and then wrote bad checks in Ludington area stores – Walmart, Meijer and Airport Shell EZ Mart. Two individuals are also listed as victims in her court file.

“She made entry into a number of cars in the City of Manistee,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, and used the checks to buy merchandise.

Witkowski has a pending case in Manistee County of embezzlement from an vulnerable adult, to which she has pleaded guilty, Spaniola said.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-11 months.

Uttering and publishing is a 14-year felony.

Charges of illegal use of a financial transaction device were dismissed in a companion file, said Spaniola.

Witkowski was ordered to not handle funds on behalf other people or businesses as part of her sentence.

This story is copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.