Oskaloosa Woman Sentenced In Theft Case
Mahaska County Courthouse
by Charlie Comfort
Oskaloosa, Iowa – An Oskaloosa woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection to an embezzlement case at the former Carriker Ford of Oskaloosa. Jennifer Gatton was sentenced on January 26 in Mahaska County District Court after pleading guilty to first-degree theft. Online court records indicate that Gatton was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be served at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville. Additionally, Gatton was ordered to pay $156,639.64 as a result of the offense. She was also assessed a $125 law enforcement initiative surcharge.
Gatton was arrested on December 8, 2015, after a trial information was filed against her by Assistant Attorney General Rob Sand. She was arrested later that evening and posted a $25,000 cash bond on December 9, 2015. Gatton had initially pled not guilty to the charges and a November 2016 trial date was set. Online court records indicate that on October 28, 2016, she changed her plea of not guilty to guilty.
Gatton was free on bond at the time of sentencing. Court records indicate that she was transported to Mitchellville on January 30 to begin her sentence. Gatton’s tentative discharge date is listed by the Iowa Department of Corrections as August 17, 2021.
