WAILUKU - Theft convictions led to five-year prison terms for a woman and man in unrelated cases.
Shawna Tallman, 26, of Wailuku was sentenced last week as a repeat offender and ordered to serve at least one year and eight months of her prison term before being eligible for parole.
She had pleaded no contest to second-degree theft by shoplifting from Walmart. She was stopped after leaving the store without paying for nearly $1,000 in merchandise Dec. 24, 2010, according to court records. The stolen goods included yarn, craft items, jewelry, golf balls and vitamins.
At the time, Tallman was on probation for second-degree burglary and attempted second-degree theft.
Tallman had been given a chance to participate in the Maui Drug Court program of treatment and supervision. "She was not successful," said Deputy Prosecutor Terence Herndon.
He said Tallman relapsed into methamphetamine use and "was dishonest about her relapse."
"This defendant has been given chances," he said at Tuesday's hearing. "Unfortunately, she did not take advantage of those chances."
Tallman asked 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza for another chance on probation, saying she had worked to be admitted into a residential treatment program at the end of the month and had plans to continue her education.
"My sobriety is top priority," she said.
Cardoza said that under the law, probation wasn't an option because of Tallman's prior convictions.
"You have tremendous potential in life," the judge told Tallman. "It's a tragedy you're here today under these circumstances."
Tallman was ordered to pay a fine of $3,720, representing four times the value of the merchandise stolen.
Lewellyn Foster Jr., 28, of Wailuku also was sentenced Tuesday to five-year prison terms, to be served at the same time, after he had pleaded no contest to second-degree theft by shoplifting, three counts of second-degree theft and a reduced charge of second-degree burglary in three cases.
In the shoplifting case, Foster was ordered to pay a fine of $7,810, representing four times the value of the diamond earring, Nikon camera and tools stolen from Sears on Oct. 11. After leaving the store, Foster was apprehended in the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center parking lot near Macy's.
He was ordered to pay $4,899 in restitution for the theft of jewelry from a Wailuku residence on Dec. 28 and $6,585 in restitution in a Nov. 21 burglary case. Foster had sold some of the stolen items to a Wailuku gold-buying business, according to court records.
Cardoza said he hoped Foster would "not just do your time - use your time" while incarcerated.
"That day will come when you're going to be sick of doing time," the judge told Foster.
"I'm there," Foster replied.
He also was sentenced to one-year jail terms, to be served at the same time as the prison term, in two abuse cases.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.
