JACK H. SIEROTA, d/o/b 2-05-1958, of Forsyth, was sentenced on Thursday, July 11, 2013, in the Circuit Court of Taney County to three (3) years in prison for the class D felony of stealing. Sierota had shoplifted a bottle of vodka and a package of vitamins from the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Branson Hills Parkway, on March 26, 2012. Because the total value of shoplifted items was only about $12, the offense would normally be a class A misdemeanor; however, Sierota had at least two (2) prior misdemeanor stealing convictions within the past ten (10) years, allowing the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office to charge Sierota with the enhanced class D felony of stealing.

The class D felony of stealing carries a maximum sentence of four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine of not more than $5,000.00. Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr sentenced Sierota pursuant to a plea agreement Sierota had made with the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office.