Forgery sentence received

COEUR d'ALENE - A 50-year-old Coeur d'Alene woman was sentenced to five years in state prison this week in Kootenai County District Court for forgery and illegal possession of someone else's financial transaction card with intent to defraud its owner.

Colleen Dixon, who will be eligible for parole after two years, was sentenced by Judge Ben Simpson. According to a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Dixon had been the caregiver of the victim, a 94-year-old Post Falls resident.

Dixon attempted to cash a check and had, according to the release, used the victim's Discover card to make a $3,243.11 purchase. She pleaded guilty to both charges in February.

"These crimes demonstrate the vulnerability of the elderly when caregivers decide to take advantage of their position of trust," Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said in the release. "Ms. Dixon lived in the victim's home and was able to gain access to the victim's checks and a credit card. It is fortunate that she was stopped before more money was stolen.

"We hope the stern sentence will deter others who might consider similar conduct. Judge Simpson's sentence reflects the community's distaste for those who prey on the elderly."