Thieving Woman at Walmart Gets 3 Years Probation Despite Previous Convictions

Today, Wendi Dawn Sims, 39, appeared for a plea hearing in Jay Weatherby's 340th Tom Green County District Court. She pleaded guilty to theft of property valued under $2,500, but with two or more previous convictions of theft, which is a state jail felony.

In this particular case, on or about Nov. 11, 2015, Officer Lee Kvittem with the San Angelo Police Department was called out to Walmart at 610 W. 29th St. to investigate a theft. Kvittem learned that the witness, Javier Valenzuela, a loss prevention officer, had witnessed and detained Sims as she was exiting the store. Valenzuela told Kvittem that he watched as Sims and another subject, Monica Hogeda, "walked past all points of payment and began to exit into the foyer area of the store."

Valenzuela and another associate made contact with both Sims and Hogeda and questioned them about the property they had in the basket, which included a Christmas tree, a wreath, and two packages of garland.

Officer Kvittem also learned Sims had two or more previous convictions of theft at the time of this incident, so Sims was arrested for theft with an enhancement. Overall, Sims has been arrested and booked into the Tom Green County Jail nine times. In August 2007, she was arrested for theft by check, and in April, June and July of 2014, she was also arrested for theft. Other charges include public intoxication and speeding over limit 76/65.

According to the Judge, the minimum amount of time for Sims' offenses as a state jail felony includes a penalty of no less than 180 days in jail, with a maximum sentence of two years, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

When Judge Weatherby asked for the State's recommendation, Assistant District Attorney Meagan White said, "Three years of Deferred Adjudication Probation and a fine of $1,000.

As this recommendation was read and the Judge asked if she understood the terms, Sims said, "Yes," and waived her right to a jury trial. After the plea hearing ended, John Sutton, Sims' defense attorney, guided his client out of the courtroom.

In two other theft cases, Bobbie Lee Williams, 45, who also has a history of theft and drug addiction, got another chance to set herself straight. Judge Weatherby suspended a two-year jail sentence for five years of probation that will include time in a substance abuse facility.

"I can send you away or put you in a treatment facility," said the Judge. "Hopefully, you'll come out better. If not, you'll end up in state jail anyway."

As for another San Angeloan who was scheduled for a plea hearing this morning, Isaiah Stakes, 34, also charged with theft, failed to show, so his bond was forfeited and a judgment issued.