Libby woman sentenced on business break-in convicttion

A Libby woman accused of breaking into a local business and stealing jewelry and cash last fall pleaded guilty and was sentenced June 26 in Lincoln County District Court.

Samantha Lee Nelson, 30, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief and received a six-month suspended sentence from presiding Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy. The judge also ordered Nelson to pay $356 in restitution and other fines and fees.

Two other counts, including felony burglary and misdemeanor theft, were dismissed as part of the plea deal between the county and Nelson’s public defender, Ben Kolter.

According to a report by Libby Police Officer Ronald Buckner, he was alerted by dispatch that a burglary had occurred at a business that had been broken into on the evening of Oct. 1, 2022.

Buckner spoke to the owner of the business and confirmed a crime had been committed. Bucker wrote that he saw merchandise and clothing removed from shelves and thrown on the floor. He said about $200 in cash was missing from the cash register.

According to Buckner’s report, video surveillance showed a woman had entered the business through a back door.

Then, a short time later, Buckner was told the person responsible for breaking into the business returned and was trying to get back into the business again. Bucker wrote that he watched surveillance videos and confirmed the person was Nelson.

In his report, Buckner alleged that Nelson tampered with store merchandise and damaged numerous items before taking merchandise and cash. He also reported that Nelson was in possession of jewelry taken from the business when she was taken to the county jail.

Nelson was lodged in the county Detention Center at the time of the hearing, but the county Sheriff’s Office petitioned the court for a release on her own recognizance for medical reasons and it was granted by District Judge Matt Cuffe on Oct. 24.

According to a court document, Lincoln County Sheriff Officer Michael Lupo wrote that “an emergency medical request was made due to continuing issues with her pregnancy that we aren’t prepared to properly care for.”

Nelson had faced a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted of the felony burglary charge.