A Xenia woman has been sentenced to three years of community control for theft by deception in Highland County Common Please Court.
Desiree Pace, 38, was sentenced for one count of theft by deception, a fifth-degree felony.
According to court records, Pace was ordered to pay restitution of $1,576.80 to the victim through the Victim Restitution Escrow Account of the Highland County Victim Witness Office starting on July 1, 2022, and on the first day of every month thereafter.
If Pace violates any of the community control sanctions, she would be given a sentence of between six and 12 months as well as ordered to pay a $2,500 fine.
Court records state that on or around June 29, 2021, the victim reported to a deputy that they had paid Desiree Pace $1,576.80 through Facebook Pay on Dec. 29, 2020, so Pace would provide the flower arrangements for the victim’s wedding. The victim indicated that they’d signed a contract with Pace that required the flowers to be delivered on June 12, 2021.
On June 11, 2021, the victim’s wedding planner received an email that read, in part, “… our owner and team will not be able to attend any events this weekend.” That same email also requested more address information so a refund could be provided. The victim reached out to customer service and was told they would get a refund check in the mail, but they never received a refund despite multiple more attempts to receive it.
In other sentencings, Joshua Knisley, 48, Piqua, had his community control sentence extended to five years from three years.
According to court documents, Knisley was found to have violated rules 2, 15 and 19 of his community control sanctions.
The first violation was that the “defendant shall report to his/her supervising officer when and as directed and will be truthful in all statements given to the probation department and all answers to questions asked by his/her supervising officer regarding the conditions of community control.” The court found that Knisley failed to report to the Highland County Probation Department since Jan. 30, 2020.
The second rule was that the “defendant shall pay the court costs of this action and make payment arrangements with clerk of courts.” The court found that Knisley owed $275.50 to the clerk of courts and was sent to collections on Aug. 3, 2020.
The last rule that was that the “defendant shall comply with the following additional special conditions: A: successfully complete treatment and aftercare as directed.” The court found that Knisley failed to enroll and complete any programs as directed.
Knisley was originally sentenced to three years of community control on Aug. 23, 2019, for one count of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
Court records state that on or around June 9, 2018, a sergeant saw Knisley in a blue F-150 pickup truck. The sergeant advised a patrol officer that Knisley didn’t have a driver’s license. The patrol officer saw the truck leave the gas station and then made a traffic stop on the vehicle. The officer asked Knisley if he had a valid driver’s license, to which he answered that he did not. The truck was also found to have been reported stolen and belonged to someone in Ross County.
Knisley was placed under arrest for receiving stolen property. As the patrol officer did an inventory of the vehicle, they looked inside a tin container that was on Knisley’s lap during the stop. A chunk of a crystal-like substance was inside of the container. There was also a knotted plastic baggie between the driver and the middle seat. These substances were sent to BCI for testing and tested positive as methamphetamine.
Reach Jacob Clary at 937-402-2570.
