Miller ‘Earns’ Felony

Failure to comply results in Grand Larceny conviction

Shannon Marie Miller, a 24-year-old Glen Allen woman, who was given an opportunity last July to avoid a felony conviction for stealing jewelry from a former friend, failed to do any of her 100 hours of community service, failed to report to her probation officer, and obtained a DUI conviction in another county. As a result, she was convicted of the felony of grand larceny and still must complete all of the previously imposed conditions as part of her five-year suspended sentence, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Clement.

“It’s frustrating when young adults are too lazy or too self-absorbed to appreciate the opportunity given by the court to avoid the significant consequences a felony conviction can have on their lives,” said Clement. “It often appears they have been so spoiled in their youth that they do not expect any consequences for their actions.”

If Miller had complied with the conditions of her deferred adjudication, she would have been convicted of the misdemeanor of petit larceny next August.

Miller’s offense arose when she reconnected with a female friend from high school in Lunenburg County on January 27th. The friend had to leave to run an errand, but allowed Miller to stay at her house to use the computer.

When she returned, she noticed some rings on the floor, picked them up, and expressed aloud her concern that she could not find the ring with a blue topaz. Miller said nothing, and the victim did not even suspect her at that point. The victim gave Miller some clothes, and then later went to South Hill to “hang out.”

It wasn’t until a boyfriend of Miller told the victim that Miller takes things and pawns them at AmeriPawn in Richmond that the victim realized what Miller had done.

Lt. Landry contacted the pawnshop and obtained photos of some of the jewelry and Miller’s identification and receipt for $103. Most of the jewelry was recovered and returned to the victim. Miller paid an additional $250 to the victim in restitution.

According to Clement, because the friend agreed to allow Miller to avoid the felony conviction, and because Miller had only one misdemeanor conviction in 2010 for profane language on the phone, Miller was allowed to enter a guilty plea to the felony charge of grand larceny, but to have the cases deferred for adjudication until August 4, 2014.

Miller’s conditions include 100 hours of community service, good behavior, supervised probation, substance abuse counseling, staying off the property of the pawn shops and no contact with her victim, warrantless searches.