(Lander, WY) – 48-year-old Rebecca Milleson, aka Rebecca Hatcher, pled “guilty” to both counts filed against her at the December 10th plea hearing, overseen by the Honorable Judge Jason Conder.
A sentencing hearing has been set for March 10th, 2022.
The former Pavillion Town Clerk was charged with theft aggregate back in February and larceny by bailee in June, after it was discovered that “a number of fraudulent charges” had been made against the Town of Pavillion’s checking account.
A cold plea agreement was submitted on behalf of Milleson on September 30th for the two felony charges filed against her, and if approved by the court, “The Defendant shall pay restitution to the Town of Pavillion in the amount of $188,758.26.”
Also upon the Court’s acceptance of this agreement, “The State shall bring no further charges against the Defendant related to her employment with the Town of Pavillion.”
Under a cold plea, it is left up to the judge to sentence the Defendant as they see fit, within the bounds of the law. The judge can still follow sentencing guidelines that give minimum and maximum penalties, in this case up to 20 years imprisonment for the combined charges.
Judge Conder stated that currently, he is “not a party to this agreement,” and can still reject the plea at any point during proceedings.
Conder also commented that he “will not know if he accepts the agreement until the sentencing hearing,” a decision which will also be dependant on information obtained in the pre-sentence report, scheduled for release on February 24th, 2022.
During her plea for the larceny by bailee felony charge, Milleson stated that while employed by the Town of Pavillion, specifically from May 7th to January 7th of 2013, she used the city credit card to pay for “funds for her daughter’s wedding.”
Milleson then added that she “thought she had permission” to move these funds into her own account.
For the theft aggregate felony charge, Milleson stated that while employed by the Town of Pavillion, specifically from August 1st, 2020 to January 11th, 2021, she “Intentionally submitted deposits into her own account, depriving her employer of those funds.”
A request by the defense for a bond modification allowing the removal of Milleson’s court ordered ankle monitor was also denied during proceedings.
Milleson’s sentencing has been set for March 10th, 2022.
For all of County 10’s coverage of the case, click here.