Manistee woman pleads ‘no contest’ to embezzling from convenience store.

Judith Sannes with her attorney, Harold Emelander

Manistee woman pleads ‘no contest‘ to embezzling from convenience store.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 56-year-old Manistee woman pleaded “no contest” Tuesday, May 28, in 51st Circuit Court to a misdemeanor of embezzlement $200-$1,000 for embezzling from her employer, Ertie’s Forest Trail Marathon convenience store on north US 31 near Free Soil.

Judith Desiree Sannes, of 392 Countyline Rd., embezzled $20,000 over the course of three-year period by mishandling ATM (automated teller machine) deposits, according to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski.

Her initial felony charge of embezzlement $20,000-$100,000 was dismissed during the preliminary exam in 79th District Court, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. A second felony count of embezzlement $1,000-$20,000 was dismissed when she pleaded to the lesser charge Tuesday.

Sannes will be sentenced to time served for her up front jail time of a one-year discretionary jail term, Spaniola said.

The restitution of $20,000 was due at the time of her plea, and a $20,000 cashier’s check was provided to pay back the amount that was stolen, said Spaniola.

The embezzlement occurred from 2014-2017, the judge said.

Sannes quit her job shortly after store owners alerted employees that there was a discrepancy of the ATM deposits, Judge Sniegowski said.

Sentencing is set for July 9 at 2:45 p.m.

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