LA GRANDE, Ore. — An ex-employee who stole more than $35,000 from BillyBob’s Butcher Shop & Strafford’s Custom Meats in Elgin, Ore., was sentenced Nov. 14 in Union County Circuit Court to more than seven years in prison.

Earlier in the week, 51-year-old Stacy Follett of Summerville, accepted a plea deal from the Union County District Attorney’s Office and changed her plea to guilty on seven felony counts, one of first-degree aggravated theft and six of first-degree forgery.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ryan Rodighiero prosecuted the case for the state. Follett was represented by La Grande attorney Wade Bettis.

William Oldridge and his wife, Kaleen Smith, opened the butcher shop in 2017. Smith addressed the court during sentencing and shared an emotional statement on behalf of her family, the business and their employees — “to prove to Ms. Follett that we are not going to be her victims now — or ever again.”

She said that Follett’s theft almost put BillyBob’s Butcher Shop out of business. The business was within two weeks of needing to close the doors permanently and filing for bankruptcy, which would have meant the loss of their two business locations, home, vehicles, farm equipment and livestock.

Rodighiero told Union County Circuit Judge Thomas Powers that the owners had to dip into their savings and personal equity to keep the business afloat.

The embezzlement is thought to have occurred through several forged or unauthorized checks directed from the business’s account to Follett’s personal bank account and a joint bank account with her partner from January to July 2023.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Follett admitted to endorsing the back of the checks written to her partner without him knowing of the theft.

Rodighiero said that Follett was an administrative assistant and office manager for the business. She assisted with the finances and had access to its checkbook. During this time, Oldridge would essentially write blank checks to pay for bills, which Follett later made out in her or her partner’s name.

Ultimately, Rodighiero said, Follett stole over $36,000 from the business.

Smith asked the court to consider the full devastation of Follett’s actions. The theft impacted them — not just as business owners, but as friends.

Follett, Smith said tearfully, “was my best friend.”

However, she added that Follett’s theft also impacted the community as a whole. Smith explained that her family and business regularly supported and gave back to the community, especially to programs such as the National FFA Organization, 4-H Club and local fairs.

She said it’s “absolutely heart-wrenching” whenever they have to explain why they can’t offer assistance to those programs currently. While things are slowly starting to turn around, Smith and Oldridge are still working on paying past-due bills and rebuilding their credit.

Smith said that love and support from the community is what allowed them to keep their doors open.

“William and I are very trusting, loving and compassionate people,” Smith said. “Ms. Follett’s actions will not change how we live or who we are.”

Follett’s theft from BillyBob’s Butcher Shop was not her first brush with the law. She was convicted in 2008 for first-degree theft from Frontier Motors, where she worked, according to court records. The charge initially was a felony offense, but was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Powers sentenced Follett to 84 months incarceration. Follett will serve 60 days in jail for first degree aggravated theft and 30 days concurrently for the first count of first-degree forgery.

She will serve 18 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections on the second count of first-degree forgery, which will run concurrently with her local jail time. Follett will then serve consecutive 20- 22- and 24-month sentences for the third, fourth and fifth counts of first-degree forgery. Lastly, she will serve 24 months for the sixth count of first-degree forgery, which will run concurrently with the fifth count.

Powers said that when he initially reviewed the sentencing recommendation from the state, he thought 84 months was a significant amount of time. However, upon hearing the facts of the case and the impacts, he said the sentence felt appropriate.

“This is not an anonymous theft,” Powers said.

While stealing from a business is never OK, the judge said that impact is even greater when it’s a local business. It takes time to build a business and a reputation.

“This is like a hand grenade getting thrown into things,” he said of Follett’s actions.

During the sentencing hearing, the defense requested Follett be able to report to jail after Thanksgiving rather than be remanded into custody immediately. While Powers said that he understood Follett’s desire to not be taken into custody right away, he ultimately remanded her into custody of the Union County Jail.

“This was a long period of theft, a long period of deception and a long period of victimization. Ms. Follett needs to be remanded today,” Powers said.

The judge commended Oldridge and Smith for being able to keep their business afloat.

Follett will be required to pay $36,500 in restitution. She will appear in court for a hearing to discuss additional restitution on Jan. 21, 2025.

Powers also ordered Follett to submit an apology letter to Smith, Oldridge and the employees of BillyBob’s Butcher Shop.

Upon her release, Follett will undergo one year of post-prison supervision. She will be prohibited from contacting the victims or their business.