LAKE HAVASU CITY – The prosecution of the woman who stole funds from the Lake Havasu Museum of History while employed as its director years ago has ended quietly at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center in Kingman. Convicted of theft through a plea agreement, Hannah Rangel, 48, appeared for sentencing during an April 8 hearing conducted by Superior Court Judge Megan McCoy.
The court declined imposing any further jail time and placed Rangel on probation for three years. Judge McCoy also ordered Rangel to perform 150 hours of community work service so she might discover the job of giving as opposed to taking.
Court and police records indicate Rangel allegedly used a work-related credit card to pay a personal motorcycle bill of more than $1,000 on Oct. 17, 2020. The statement also alleged that Rangel used museum funds on Sept. 23, 2021 to pay a $2,862.50 bill to a mortuary in San Diego for her fiancé’s funeral.
Police further alleged that Rangel used a museum check on Sept. 29, 2021 to pay her $1,500 deposit for her Queen’s condominium in Lake Havasu.
Rangel paid $2,500 in restitution before she was sentenced, and she is responsible for paying another $2,500 while serving probation.
Defense attorney Erin Dohnalek said probation terms will allow Rangel to keep her job at the San Diego Zoo in California, and continue her role as the primary care giver for her health challenged mother.
Dave Hawkins
