Sentencing was held Thursday for one of the five former Armstrong City Officials charged with misconduct in office.
Former City Clerk Connie Thackery had entered an Alford plea in March to one count of 2nd degree theft, a class D felony. In an Alford Plea, the defendant maintains their innocence but admits there is enough evidence that a jury would likely find them guilty if the case went to trial.
At the sentencing hearing, District Court Judge Jeffrey Neary granted a defense request for a deferred judgement which the state did not resist. Thackery was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. A civil penalty of $1,025 was suspended. All fines and civil penalties will be removed upon successful completion of probation. As part of a plea deal, all other charges against Thackery were dismissed.
Thackery was the third person to be sentenced in the case. Former City Clerk Mary Kate Staton pleaded guilty in 2021 to theft in the third degree and tampering with records, both aggravated misdemeanors. Former City Clerk Tracie Lang also pleaded guilty in 2021 to felonious misconduct in office and falsifying records, both class D felonies.
Former Armstrong Police Chief Craig Merril is scheduled to stand trial next month and former Mayor Greg Buum is scheduled to stand trial in October. Both are facing 21 misdemeanor and felony charges.