CoiNuts operators to receive sentences

COEUR d'ALENE - The trial later this spring of CoiNuts owner-operator Kevin E. Mitchell has been vacated and he now is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Mitchell, 49, who is charged with felony theft by false promise, declined comment Thursday. That charge stems from transactions with customers at his now-closed coin shop at 296 W. Sunset Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

Mediation in his case, and the case of his step-daughter, Sarah M. Mitchell, was conducted for two full days Tuesday and Wednesday. Sarah Mitchell, who worked at the store, is also charged with felony theft by false promise in Kootenai County.

Former customers of the shop have told The Press they paid the Mitchells money for gold and silver that was never delivered, and others sold coins to the Mitchells but then never got their money.

Mediation participants included the Mitchells and their attorneys, attorneys and an investigator from the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office, a detective from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department and several victims.

"All victims named in the indictments were notified in advance of the mediation and offered an opportunity to participate," said Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh on Thursday. "With the input and consent of all involved, both cases were resolved."

A plea change and sentencing hearing is scheduled for Kevin Mitchell on March 19, and for Sarah Mitchell on March 18. District Court Judge Fred Gibler is scheduled to sentence both of them.

In September, a 1st District Court judge ruled in a civil case that Kevin Mitchell violated consumer protection laws. Judge Lansing Haynes banned Mitchell from selling gold and silver in Idaho.

Kevin Mitchell owned and operated CoiNuts from November 2007 through February 2013.