Grand jury indicts four for alleged thefts of Kroger gift cards

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, 7 p.m. — Four people were indicted Wednesday by a Nelson County grand jury on charges related to the alleged theft of Kroger gift cards that were used to fraudulently purchase other credit cards.

Shawn K. Bowery, 38, and Karla M. Wilson, 39, both of Glasgow, Heather Penn, 24, of Lexington, and Victoria B. Wylie, 21, of Nicholasville, were indicted on charges of unlawful access to a computer, first-degree and complicity to the same and theft by unlawful taking or disposition under $500 and complicity to the same.

According to the indictment, on Jan. 5, 2016, Bowery, Wilson, Penn and Wylie — acting alone or in concert with one another — allegedly took the Kroger gift cards from Kroger and used them to purchase other credit cards for the purpose of obtaining money, property or services by false pretenses.

Citing prior felony convictions, the indictment also charged Bowery, Penn and Wilson with being first-degree persistent felony offenders. Bail for the three was set at $50,000 cash only, plus conditions.

Bail for Victoria B. Wylie will be set at the time of her arraignment.

Unlawful access to a computer is a Class C felony punishable by not less than five years but no more than 10 years in prison.

Theft by unlawful taking is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by by 90 days to one year in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The four will be arraigned Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Nelson Circuit Court.

Editor’s Note: The indictment of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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