Woman sentenced under new Wyoming felony theft charge

LANDER — A Riverton woman is facing 20 years in prison for repeat shoplifting offenses under a new felony charge that debuted this summer.

Beatrice Monroe was the first in Fremont County charged under the new law, which gives prosecutors the ability to seek bigger penalties for offenders who continue to shoplift in Wyoming. After four prior convictions in ten years, a fifth shoplifting charge can now become a felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Monroe was charged with two counts under the new statute.

Local prosecutor and Rep. Ember Oakley (R-Riverton) was the b...