Former Animal Shelter Director Sentencing Continued

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Former Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Director Lindsey Sime will wait to hear what the sentence will be after she plead guilty back in February.

Sime had been charged with one count of Theft in the 3rd Degree and one count of Forgery.

Court documents have also detailed a plea deal with Sime. According to a plea deal offer filed with Sime’s guilty plea, Sime is expected to receive a two year suspended jail sentence on both charges. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Sime would serve a four year suspended jail sentence, with probation in lieu of jail time. The plea deal states that if Sime pays all fines and restitution on the day of sentencing, the jail time would be sentenced to run concurrently, meaning Sime would serve both sentences at the same time. Court documents also indicate that Sime will enter a guilty plea, and not an Alford plea, pursuant to the plea deal.

The plea deal also states that Sime’s sentence will not affect in any way any charges that may potentially arise from a special audit being conducted on the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.

According to court documents, the sentencing has been continued until May 15, 2017.

The motion, filed by Scott Brown, Assistant Attorney General states, “Based upon conversations with the State Auditor’s Office, they need additional time to complete the investigation and the State requests sentencing be continued to a date in late May.”

“It is in the interest of justice to have gathered all relevant information so the Court can make an informed decision regarding sentencing in this matter,” the documents states.

The motion also stated that the defense did not resist the continuance.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem confirmed to Oskaloosa News that the investigation is ongoing.

The Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter continues to function as normal with an interim director at the helm.

Portions of this article by Charlie Comfort.