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Does the time fit the crime?

Does the time fit the crime?

4thdegree felony sentencing explained by County Prosecutor

 

By Bill Shope

Scioto Voice Writer

 

In a recent press release, the Portsmouth Police Department announced that an investigation has been completed and the Scioto County Grand Jury has indicted Megan R. Horner, of 1677 Bloom Furnace Road South Webster, Ohio for actions related to her employment as the assistant branch manager at U.S. Bank in Portsmouth, Ohio. During Ms. Horner’s employment as assistant branch manager, the investigation discovered that she used her position to steal funds from unsuspecting bank customers.

Ms. Horner was employed by U.S. Bank from March of 2018 until December of 2018. During those time periods, Ms. Horner was specifically targeting the elderly customers of the bank for the thefts. The investigation has uncovered three known victims at this time. The police department encourages everyone to be vigilant checking their banking statements.

Ms. Horner was indicted by the Scioto County Grand Jury for the below listed charges:

  1. 4 counts of Theft from a person in a protected class a Felony of the 4th degree. Ohio Revised Code 2913.02A1
  2. 4 counts of Forgery a Felony of the 4th degree. Ohio Revised Code 2913.31A1

The Scioto Voice took the opportunity to look at sentencing guidelines for a fourth degree felony conviction and contacted Scioto County prosecutor Shane Tieman for comment.

‘First of all, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. There are indictments stemming from charges from September, which are felonies of the fourth degree and a similar set of charges, which are also fourth degree felonies. The person in question has been arraigned on these counts and has pled not guilty and a trial date will be set in the near future,” advised Tieman.

 

 

When asked about what a person may face, in Ohio, when convicted of a fourth degree felony, Tieman responded, “There are state guidelines that call for someone convicted to face potentially, up to18 months of prison, plus a fine of up to $5,000.00, and of course community-control sanctions and financial restitution can also be ordered. In Ohio, with no prior convictions, with very limited exceptions, you are looking at community control sanctions of five years or less, versus a prison sentence. Various conditions on community control may be implemented, such as a curfew, restitution and a fine.”

Tieman added, that generally, in cases of this nature, restitution would be added as part of sentencing.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Det. Lt. Michael Hamilton at 740-354-1600.

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