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Trumbull judges grant early release to woman who stole money from Niles
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Heidi Powell did not speak to Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge W. Wyatt McKay before the judge ordered Powell released six weeks early from state prison, but her attorney said she thought Powell had been “sufficiently punished.”
Atty. Kara Stanford said she thinks the 41/2 months Powell served in state prison for theft of $731 from her job with the Niles Income Tax Department “sends a message as a deterrent to the public.”
Powell, 34, of West Park Avenue in Niles, also wants to get back into treatment for mental-health issues and get back home to take care of her five young children, Stanford said.
Judge McKay noted that Powell had repaid the stolen money and will be on probation for five years “so that we can hopefully guide you through any problems that you might have regarding your criminality.”
Powell is ordered to remain free of illegal drugs, undergo random drug testing and undergo health counseling.
A short time later, Powell was taken before Judge Ronald Rice, who had imposed a six-month prison sentence on Powell on July 30 for violating the terms of her probation for stealing $1,307 from her job at the AT&T store in Bazetta Township in July 2013. She had just been sentenced in that misdemeanor case in April 2014 when she was hired to work in Niles as an income tax investigator.
Judge Rice’s modification of Powell’s sentence in his court was necessary for Judge McKay’s decision to release Powell to take effect. She was released from the Trumbull County Jail later Wednesday.
In asking for early release from prison, Powell wrote to Judges McKay and Rice, saying her incarceration has placed “added stress” on her husband, her parents and in-laws, who have had to take over care of her children.
Powell has a job at a restaurant to return to that does not involve handling money, according to letters from Powell and restaurant managers.