Billings Woman Changes Plea on Theft Related Charges

A change of plea hearing was held Tuesday in 4th Judicial District Court in Sheridan for a Billings woman charged with several charges related to theft. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

At the hearing, 47-year-old Laura Banderob pleaded guilty to a charge of felony theft and two counts of conspiracy to commit theft, one felony and one misdemeanor. Terms of the plea agreement reached with the state recommend that Banderob be sentenced to 2 ½ to 4 years in prison on each of the felony charges, suspended in lieu of a six-month split sentence and three years of supervised probation. The sentences will run concurrent to one another. The plea deal also recommends a sentence of six-months in jail for the misdemeanor charge, suspended in lieu two-years of supervised probation to run concurrent to the sentences for the felonies and to dismiss three misdemeanor charges in Circuit Court. Banderob and a co-defendant in the case will be jointly responsible for $1,777.22 in restitution.

District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation be completed and initially set the date for sentencing for July 12 at 9:30 am. Banderob’s Attorney, Public Defender Anna Malmberg said the July date conflicts with her schedule and she could not represent her client on that day. Judge Phillips said the sentencing would be rescheduled to avoid any conflicts.

According to court documents, Banderob was arrested and charged with the crimes for three different incidents that occurred at the Wal-Mart in Sheridan where she and co-defendant Adrian Bravo stole, or attempted to steal numerous items on each occasion. The crimes occurred on July 5 and July 24, 2020, and April 3, 2021.