Sprague woman takes plea

SPRAGUE – A Sprague woman has taken a plea deal on charges she used the funds in the account of a dead woman to buy groceries and make purchases on Amazon.

Shirley Dee Sauer, 57, submitted an Alford plea in Lincoln County Superior Court on Aug. 11 on a charge of first degree identity theft, theft from a vulnerable adult and second degree theft. The Alford plea allows the accused to accept the plea deal without admitting guilt, but with the recognition that a jury may determine a guilty verdict based on the evidence available.

According to court records, Sauer was living with Hazel M. Nolan prior to her death and used the elderly woman’s bank information to help Nolan pay her bills due to Nolan’s poor eyesight. However, after Nolan’s death, Nolan’s daughter reported approximately $1,200 missing from her mother’s account that was traced back to Sauer. Court records indicate Sauer used the money to make purchases at Kathy’s Market, as well as with online vendors like Amazon.

Sauer was sentenced to 45 days in jail, $1,194 in restitution, a $500 victim assessment fee and a $100 DNA collection fee.