Taken from the paper this morning...

Shoplifter gets decade in prison

A 36-year-old Puna woman has been sentenced to a decade in prison after her shoplifting charges were bumped up to robbery because she scratched a security guard while trying to get away.

Store security at the Hilo Wal-Mart watched as Flower Johnson shoplifted $51.43 worth of merchandise in April, according to evidence presented at her for-day jury trial.

When stopped outside the store, Johnson swung at and scratched a security guard.

The maximum sentence for shoplifting less then $100 worth of property is 30 days in jail and $1,000 fine. Using force during a theft, however, increases charges to second degree robbery publishable (they spelled that, not me) by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Aggravating factors in the sentencing were Johnson’s criminal record, including prior convictions for shoplifting and theft in Hawaii and Washington state.

Johnson was sentenced Aug. 17 by Third Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara.

According to announcement released Monday by Prosecuting Attorney Jay T. Kimura, Johnson was visibly shaken by the sentence and repeatedly asked the judge as she was taken from the courtroom whether she was actually going to prison for 10 years.

haha knowing how walmart pays their emp....the security guard likely recieved food stamps as bonus.

LOL, Wal-Mart has security guards?

Is that what they call those smiling octogenarians who sit by the door, and stamp stuff you return with the little pink sticker?

you cant pin this one on walmart, though....that is the authorities doing this. Once the charges enter the system and the police get involved, they are the ones who determine the charges that are brought initially. After that it goes to the courts.

LOL, Wal-Mart has security guards?

Is that what they call those smiling octogenarians who sit by the door, and stamp stuff you return with the little pink sticker?

We have police officers at our busiest Wal-Mart and flashlight cops, but the security guards here drive around the parking lot in late 90's Malibu's with a yellow revolving light on the roof.

hahaha, the ones here scoot around in what look like modified electric wheelchairs. They're sort of a cross between a golf cart and a granny-scooter with lights.

"Aggravating factors in the sentencing were Johnson’s criminal record, including prior convictions for shoplifting and theft in Hawaii and Washington state."


Good ridence to her.

Hope she likes tacos...

If only all crimes were punished so severly.

I'm glad she got the max penalty only b/c she had previous repeated convictions for the same crap... obviously giving chance after chance hadn't worked.

However... Some rapists get 5 years in jail? America is screwed.

^ Or none, remember the Judge that let a guy go with probation because he was "to short for jail"?