Woman Pleads Guilty In Pharmacy Theft

November 11, 2004

HUNTSVILLE - A 32-year-old Oneida woman has entered a guilty plea in Scott County Criminal Court for theft of more than $60,000 in property from Roark's Pharmacy in Oneida.

Vanessa Lynn Smith, a former employee of the pharmacy, agreed to a pretrial diversion plan whereby she will serve no time in prison, but will be placed on probation for a 10-year period (the first four of which will be supervised probation), and make restitution in the amount of $50,000.

District Attorney General William Paul Phillips, who told the court that he had the approval of pharmacy owners Terry and Mary Ann Roark for the restitution plan, said that Smith would make a down payment of $5,000 and pay $1,000 in court costs "today," followed by monthly payments of $375 beginning in January 2005 and continuing until the balance is paid in full.

Criminal Court Judge Shane Sexton, who had earlier cautioned Smith about entering a plea without the advise of counsel, said the felony charges carried an eight to 30-year sentence and a fine of up to $100,000. He also warned her that he could either accept or reject the recommended punishment on the pretrial diversion form she had signed.

Once Judge Sexton accepted Smith's plea, however, he announced that he would accept the pretrial diverson agreement. He told Smith that if she completes the probationary and restitution process she "can have the case expunged from the record."

General Phillips told the court that the case had been investigated by TBI Agent Steve Vinsent.

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