Sheridan Man Changes Plea on Felony Theft Charge

A change of plea hearing was held Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for a man charged with felony theft. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

On October 23, 2022, an officer with the Sheridan Police Department was dispatched to Sheridan Liquor on Sugarland Drive to investigate a report of theft. Store Owner Chad Franklin reported that an employee of his, Monte Johnson, had been taking money from a cash safe within the business and there were several video recordings of him committing the alleged criminal activity. Johnson was arrested and charged with felony theft. At a hearing Tuesday in District Court, Johnson entered a guilty plea to the charge pursuant to a plea agreement that was reached with the State.

Sheridan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher LaRosa said the plea agreement recommends a sentence of 3 to 5 years in prison, suspended in lieu of a split-sentence of one-year in jail to be followed by three years of supervised probation. The jail sentence and restitution amount will be argued by the defense at sentencing. The plea agreement is non-binding, meaning the Court can reject the plea deal altogether at sentencing. District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation be completed by probation and parole and scheduled the sentencing hearing for May 4 at 9:45 am.