State v. Voyles

HOGAN, Judge.

This case is a so-called “welfare cheating” case. The defendant was charged with stealing by deceit, as defined and denounced by § 570.030.1. That statute, in pertinent part, provides:

“A person commits the crime of stealing if he appropriates property or services of another with the purpose to deprive him thereof ... by means of deceit or coercion.”

A jury found the defendant guilty, and assessed the defendant’s punishment at “No imprisonment, but a fine, in an amount to be determined by the court.” The trial court then assessed defendant’s punishment at a fine of $5,000, as…