Forgery
A Birnamwood woman has been charged with a felony count of forgery for allegedly passing a bogus check in the village in March.
Laci J. Walkush, 25, could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. She also faces a felony count of identity theft, which carries the same penalty, as well as misdemeanor counts of theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, and several counts of bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, Walkush was terminated as an employee of Cady Memorial Home in Birnamwood after an investigation into a missing debit card. The investigation revealed fraudulent purchases at local stores as well as in Wausau and surrounding areas.
The complaint states Walkush signed a resignation statement admitting to the theft of a resident’s debit card. The complaint also alleges Walkush forged a check from the resident payable to her.
Walkush is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Monday.
Felony theft
A Shawano woman is facing a felony count of theft for allegedly stealing jewelry, collectibles and other items valued at more than $7,000 in the town of Washington in June 2014.
Mary Jo Leifermann, 53, could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted. She is also charged with a misdemeanor count of bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, the homeowner told authorities that Leifermann was a friend of hers that had access to a garage where many of the items were kept.
Leifermann is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Monday.
Reckless endangerment
A Keshena man has been charged with a felony count of recklessly endangering safety as a result of an alleged drunken driving incident in the town of Waukechon in September.
Vernon J. Kohel, 40, could face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty. He is also charged with a felony count of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana, along with misdemeanor counts of fourth offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating after revocation.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies on Sept. 26 responded to calls about a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of state Highway 29.
He was eventually pulled over. An initial breath test showed a blood alcohol count of nearly 0.24 percent, three times the legal limit.
Kohel was released on a $2,500 signature bond and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Nov. 17.