A Casper woman will serve a three- to six year prison term for her role in a forgery scheme, according to the sentence handed down in Natrona County District Court on Friday.

Dawnelle Engleman heard the sentence from Judge Daniel Forgey, who gave a slightly lighter sentence than the five- to seven- year prison term sought by prosecutors, but much harsher than the recommendation of probation from her defense attorney.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen said this was Engleman's third felony as an adult, and those crimes were related to her methamphetamine addiction.

However, defense attorney Todd Infanger said she was sober for many years before being hooked again and began forging checks. Infanger asked the judge to put her on probation and have her complete the felony program at the Casper Re-entry Center.

Forgey said Engleman was not a candidate for probation, gave her credit for time served, and ordered her to repay about $10,900 in restitution.

In March, she pleaded guilty to 12 counts of forgery, and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses.

Earlier this week, her partner Donald Raines entered a change of plea in district court to one count of obtaining property by false pretenses during October. The plea agreement asked for a four- to six-year suspended prison sentence. The court does not have to agree to the proposed penalty. Raines will be sentenced later.

The case began in October when a woman reported her checking account had been depleted of almost $5,000 in less than one month. After reviewing her account, she found a number of checks that she did not write, according to court records.

She suspected two people because they had stayed at her residence in the past and had access to her checkbook.

They were Engleman and Donald Raines.

The majority of the checks were written at both Casper Wal-Marts, and upon reviewing security camera footage and receipts, police said Engleman was the one signing the checks with the victim’s name. Engleman was identified because she had a cast on her arm.

Many times after purchasing the items, Raines would take them and the receipts to the other Walmart and receive cash refunds.

During the sentencing hearing, Itzen said these crimes damaged the victim because she didn't know her account had been depleted. She would receive calls from bill collectors and even had to change the locks on her doors, Itzen said.

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