Published: July 14, 2008 10:51 pm      

Three defendants sentenced in Greenbrier circuit court

LEWISBURG — Three defendants were sentenced in Greenbrier Circuit Court Monday for various crimes, including embezzlement, DUI and credit card fraud.

Sonja McDaniel, 33, of Ronceverte, pleaded guilty through an information in April to embezzling about $9,200 while employed as a telephone operator with the First National Bank of Ronceverte. According to court documents, “money from cash drawers” was taken on May 26 and Sept. 28 of last year.

Prosecutors say McDaniel has since paid the bank restitution.

Judge Joseph P. Pomponio Jr. sentenced McDaniel to one to 10 years in the penitentiary, but immediately suspended that sentence and placed her on probation for one year. McDaniel must also perform 400 hours of community service work.

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Nicholas W. Vanburen, 18, of White Sulphur Springs, pleaded guilty to DUI and fleeing while DUI earlier this year.

Vanburen led authorities on a 3-mile chase which ended when Vanburen’s vehicle spun out and Sheriff’s Deputy C.R. Smith collided with him “nearly head-on” and causing “considerable damage,” according to police records.

Pomponio sentenced Vanburen to 24 hours in jail for the DUI conviction and six months in jail for the fleeing conviction. However, Pomponio suspended the latter sentence and placed Vanburen on one year’s probation.

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Kelly L. Sheppard, 37, a former Greenbrier State Forest office assistant, was arrested in February and charged with four counts of fraudulently using a state credit card belonging to the Department of Natural Resources.

Prosecutors say Sheppard, of Frankford, used the state credit card to pay for personal telephone bills and gifts. Sheppard his since paid the state back $955, the entire amount illegally charged to the card. The state dismissed three felony counts when Sheppard pleaded guilty to the remaining count earlier this year.

Chief Circuit Judge James J. Rowe sentenced Sheppard to one to five years in the penitentiary for the credit card fraud conviction; however, he immediately suspended that sentence and placed Sheppard on one year’s probation.

— E-mail:

cgiggenbach@register-herald.com