Russellville woman pleads guilty to theft

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Russellville woman pled guilty to three counts of first-degree theft Monday during a pre-trial docket.
District Attorney Joey Rushing said Catherine H. James, 62, of 134 Mattie Street in Russellville, was charged with 67 counts of theft but pled guilty to three counts of first-degree theft, the most serious of the charges, in an open plea Monday for taking a large amount of money from a Russellville business over a five-year period.
"The open plea means that the judge can sentence her just like she was convicted by a jury," Rushing said.
First-degree theft of property is a Class B felony, which carries a sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
Rushing said there will be a restitution hearing before sentencing is passed to determine how much restitution will be paid to the victim.
"It is important to the victims that James be held responsible for her actions," Rushing said. "The plea agreement was approved by the victim."
Rushing said James was also charged with taking money from a local church. However, those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.