A Baltimore woman who was convicted in two cases stemming from a counterfeiting scheme was sentenced to one year and one day in jail with additional time suspended Wednesday as a part of a plea agreement.
Ashley Tyshera Purnell, 24, pleaded not guilty but agreed not to challenge the state's version of the facts to one count of theft scheme and one count of obtaining goods with forged currency.
Judge Michael M. Galloway sentenced Purnell to 10 years and suspended all but one year and one day, the minimum sentence required to be housed in the state Division of Corrections. Galloway also gave her credit for time served since Oct. 1.
Defense attorney Diane Lach said her client wants to serve her time at a state facility because credit toward parole is calculated differently and she may be released earlier than if she served her sentence at the local detention center.
Purnell was arrested in June along with several co-defendants for using counterfeit currency to purchase electronics at Wal-Mart stores then returning them for legitimate cash at different Wal-Marts, according to the statement of facts read into the record by Senior Assistant State's Attorney Melissa Hockensmith.
Purnell went to the stores in Hampstead and Westminster on June 5 and purchased items that were later returned in Randallstown, Hockensmith said.
A notice of the scam was sent to area Wal-Mart locations and Purnell along with Demetriss Ann Howard, 25, and Danielle Tahlia Russell, 23, also of Baltimore, were detained after attempting to return items in Owings Mills, according to Hockensmith.
"This is a large-scale scheme," Hockensmith said Wednesday. "It's a pretty serious ring she was involved in."
Purnell apologized and said she takes full responsibility for her actions. She said she wants to get home and take care of her two children.
Galloway said the sentence was reasonable and with credit for time served, Purnell should be released soon.
Galloway entered a civil judgment in favor of Wal-Mart for $3,500, the combined amount owed to the Hampstead and Westminster locations. The $916 found on Purnell when she was arrested was forfeited and is expected to be applied toward the judgment.
Reach staff writer Heather Cobun at 410-857-7898 or email heather.cobun@carrollcountytimes.com.
