Probation for cashing stolen checks

LIHU‘E — In 5th Circuit Court on Thursday, a Kalaheo woman was sentenced to a one-year probation and ordered to pay remaining restitution for stealing a checkbook from friends and cashing them at a general store.

Roseelaine Mahealani Keale, 29, was given time served for the more than 90 days she had already spent in jail following a Dec. 27, 2011, arrest on six counts of second-degree forgery, three counts of fourth-degree theft and two counts of third-degree theft.

Chief Judge Randal Valenciano denied a request for a deferred sentence, however, noting that a third-degree theft arrest and conviction came after the arrest on these charges.

There needed to be a record for a future court should another the defendant be arrested for a similar situation, Valenciano added.

County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt said the defendant had taken advantage of the trust of people who helped her out financially by entering their home on Oct. 25, 2011, and taking a wallet and checkbook. Several of the checks were cashed at a nearby mini mart.

Keale changed her plea to no contest to eight of the 37 charges on Oct. 2, 2012. She was sentenced on four counts of third-degree theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, credit card theft, second-degree forgery and third-degree identity theft.

State Deputy Public Defender John Calma said the defendant, who is seven months pregnant, was at a low point in her life, caring for another young child and had no way to pay her rent. She made a bad decision and has worked to pay off $700 of her $1,450 in restitution to the victims.

Keale addressed the court saying that she did a stupid and selfish thing and that she would do anything to keep her freedom.