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Former Ignacio town employee pleads guilty to theft

Jacquelyn Mejia stole more than $66,000 to support gambling addiction
Mejia

A former Ignacio Town Hall staff member faces up to 90 days in jail and 10 years on probation after pleading guilty June 30 to embezzling more than $66,000 from town coffers to feed her gambling addiction.

In a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Jacquelyn Mejia pleaded guilty to two counts: felony theft and misdemeanor theft. The felony will be deferred - or wiped from her criminal record - if she successfully completes the terms of her probation.

Formal sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in District Judge Jeffrey Wilson's courtroom.

Mejia, a front desk worker at Ignacio Town Hall, walked into the Ignacio Police Department on Jan. 19 and voluntarily confessed to stealing money from the town's deposits since early November. Many of the town's residents make utility payments in cash.

"I asked her why, and she told me, 'Because I have a gambling addiction at the casino,' " according to an arrest affidavit filed by Sgt. Wes Crume.

At first, she said she stole about $17,000, but she quickly admitted to stealing much more. She was arrested two days later.

shane@durangoherald.com