JONESBORO, Ark. — A woman initially arrested on two felony theft charges in a shopping cart wallet theft case pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge and received a 12-month suspended imposition of sentence.
Latauna A. Clark, 50, entered the negotiated guilty plea Sept. 17 before Circuit Judge Chris Thyer in Craighead County Circuit Court, according to court records.
The second-offense theft charge was reduced to theft of property valued at $1,000 or less, a Class A misdemeanor. Prosecutors dropped the separate Class D felony count involving theft of credit or debit cards, which the sentencing order lists as nolle prossed.
No jail or prison term was imposed. Clark must comply with the court’s conditions during the 12-month suspension, including committing no criminal offense punishable by imprisonment.
The court’s order states Clark paid restitution in full to the prosecuting attorney’s office before entering her plea. The money was to be disbursed to the victim.
Clark also was assessed $450 in fines, court costs and fees, payable in $75 monthly installments beginning Nov. 1. The order provides for an additional $10 monthly payment plan fee.
Circuit Judge Chris Thyer accepted Clark’s negotiated guilty plea Sept. 17. Prosecutor Jonathan White represented the state. Public defender Charlene Davidson, who has previously worked as a prosecutor, represented Clark, according to the sentencing order.
The case stemmed from an April 6 theft reported in the 300 block of South Gee Street. According to the probable cause affidavit described in NEA Report’s original coverage, surveillance video showed Clark taking a wallet from an unattended shopping cart.
After police posted video on Facebook seeking help identifying her, Clark contacted the department and identified herself as the person in the video, according to the affidavit. Police said she later admitted taking and concealing the wallet, which contained about $100 in cash and credit or debit cards.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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