Guilty Plea Entered In CCS Theft Case

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

After her jury trial, set for Dec. 9, was vacated, Beth Howatt, a former Syracuse resident, pleaded guilty to theft, a class D felony.

Howatt originally also was charged with welfare fraud, a Class C felony, but the charge was dismissed per plea agreement.

Howatt, 25, was arrested in November 2001, after authorities discovered that she and her mother, Pamela Jo Houser, allegedly were "exerting unauthorized control" of Combined Community Services property and disbursing child care voucher money to an unqualified family member.

Houser also was scheduled for a jury trial Dec. 9, but her trial was postponed because of a full court calendar and will be held at a later date.

Howatt's sentencing includes three years probation and a $1,000 restitution payment to CCS. She also must pay court costs and her attorney's fees. [[In-content Ad]]

After her jury trial, set for Dec. 9, was vacated, Beth Howatt, a former Syracuse resident, pleaded guilty to theft, a class D felony.

Howatt originally also was charged with welfare fraud, a Class C felony, but the charge was dismissed per plea agreement.

Howatt, 25, was arrested in November 2001, after authorities discovered that she and her mother, Pamela Jo Houser, allegedly were "exerting unauthorized control" of Combined Community Services property and disbursing child care voucher money to an unqualified family member.

Houser also was scheduled for a jury trial Dec. 9, but her trial was postponed because of a full court calendar and will be held at a later date.

Howatt's sentencing includes three years probation and a $1,000 restitution payment to CCS. She also must pay court costs and her attorney's fees. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Public Defender Board Makes Final Preparations For New Office
Jack Birch will be the chief public defender of the new public defender’s office of Kosciusko County.

North Manchester Gives $25K To Early Learning Center
NORTH MANCHESTER – At Wednesday night's meeting, the North Manchester Town Council voted to award the Manchester Early Learning Center (MELC) the requested $25,000 toward the Center's efforts. This is a reduced request from 2024.

87-Year-Old Crosses Helicopter Flight Off Her Bucket List
Flying in a helicopter has been on Dian Cartwright’s bucket list for a couple years.

Senior Expo To Connect Seniors With Resources And Services
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Paddock Springs, Live Well Kosciusko, Stillwater Hospice, CARES and McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels is presenting the upcoming Senior Expo & Outreach.

Nearly 100 Local Nonprofit Leaders Attend Workshop Hosted By The Community Foundation
Nearly 100 nonprofit leaders from 31 organizations in the community and from across northern Indiana recently attended a Nonprofit Workshop on Building Stronger Boards.