BULLHEAD CITY – A prosecutor’s push for more incarceration was negated by a local judge who ordered no further jail time for a Fort Mohave woman originally charged with a mix of fraud, burglary, trafficking stolen property and credit card theft offenses in a 22-count indictment. Judge Doug Camacho’s decisions came at a March 5 sentencing hearing for Michelle Cronn, 37.
Most of her charges were dismissed in exchange for Cronn convictions for two burglary counts, fraud and taking the identity of another.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Leah Nelson last month said Cronn burgled homes and vehicles to secure driver’s licenses, credit cards and other personal identification information in pursuit of pecuniary gain. She said the defendant arranged for the removal of appliances and other property from one home or more for her personal use.
The plea deal spared Cronn from prison exposure and guaranteed probation. That left open the door for imposition of up to one year of county jail time. Covering the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Bob Moon argued that more jail time is warranted given the scope of Cronn’s criminal activity.
Defense attorney Jaimye Ashley countered that Cronn is very remorseful. She said Cronn early in the case almost blundered by accepting a 15-year prison deal in wanting to make things right for various victims.
Judge Camacho sided with the Ashley position that he holds a heavy hammer over her head with lengthy prison in store for Cronn should she violate probation. He sentenced her to 205 days of jail time served, triggering her release to begin a five year probation period.
Dave Hawkins
