Charged with stealing lottery tickets

A 30-year-old Columbia Falls woman was charged with failing to register as a violent offender after she was arrested for stealing lottery tickets at a convenience store in Kalispell.

Kelly Church pleaded not guilty before Flathead County District Court Judge David Ortley on March 6 to one count of felony theft and one count of failing to register.

She faces up to 10 years and a $50,000 fine if convicted of theft and up to five years and a $10,000 fine if convicted of failing to register.

According to court records, a manager at a Town Pump in Kalispell reported to the sheriff’s office on Nov. 26, 2013, that a lottery ticket audit indicated Church had stolen scratch lottery tickets and redeemed them.

Surveillance video at the store from Aug 1 through Oct. 22 last year allegedly showed that Church had stolen $2,477 worth of tickets and then collected $1,303 by redeeming them.

While charging Church, the sheriff’s office found that Church was convicted of felony menacing in Centennial, Colo. and was required to register as a violent offender.

Church told the sheriff’s office in December 2011 that she had moved to Colorado and was no longer a Montana resident. She allegedly acknowledged after her recent arrest for theft that she was required to register after returning to Montana.

Church posted a $5,000 bond for both cases on Feb. 19 and was released with a SCRAM alcohol detecting bracelet. Her next hearing is scheduled for June 11.