Theft suspect pleads guilty

SANDPOINT — A former Walmart employee accused of repeatedly stealing merchandise from the store pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft on Friday.

Katherine Lauren Marie Draut is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24 in 1st District Court.

Draut was charged with two counts of grand theft for allegedly stealing merchandise during episodes in September 2018. The value of the merchandise was below the $1,000 statutory threshold for a felony offense. However, the offenses rose to the felony level because the pattern of thefts qualified as a “criminal episode,” according to the criminal complaint.

Draut, a 19-year-old from Sandpoint, admitted committing the thefts when she was questioned by Ponderay Police, according to court documents.

Draut entered a plea to one of the counts as part of a plea agreement with the state. She is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.