LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e woman was sentenced to time-served and a year of probation Thursday in 5th Circuit Court for taking money from a friend to make travel arrangements and not following through. Levanna Lomma, 34, had already served approximately
LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e woman was sentenced to time-served and a year of probation Thursday in 5th Circuit Court for taking money from a friend to make travel arrangements and not following through.
Levanna Lomma, 34, had already served approximately 42 days on the charge since her May 17 indictment. It charges her with second-degree theft for exerting control over $400 in cash property from a personal friend during the month of October 2011.
Lomma pleaded guilty to a reduced third-degree theft charge on July 12. The original charges were felony second-degree theft and misdemeanor third-degree theft.
According to statements in court, Lomma had taken money from a friend in order to process travel arrangements. When the day of travel came, there were no arrangements or money.
When someone makes travel arrangements, they expect to travel on the day of departure, said Chief Judge Randal Valenciano. The victim in this case was extremely shocked, he added.
Lomma said that the debt to her friend was repaid and that she has attempted to make amends. She said that her mistakes were those of someone who did not understood what it meant to stay in compliance with probation for past offenses.
I am at a point in my life where I am ready to comply, Lomma said.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jared Auna said the state would recommend time served.
State Deputy Public Defender Christian Enright said the maximum jail time per the plea agreement was 30 days. He asked for time served and probation.
Valenciano denied the motion for deferred acceptance of the guilty plea. It would have allowed the court to strike the charges from Lomma’s record after successful completion of probation.
Lomma has two prior deferments in 1997 and again in 2002, according to the court. There would not be a third deferment, Valenciano added, because of a a need to set a record to ensure the defendant is not placed in a position to do this to someone again.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
