Pendleton pleads guilty to grand theft

COEUR d'ALENE — A Post Falls man pleaded guilty Tuesday to grand theft in connection to the fraudulent use of a couple's ATM card.

Jaime Christen Pendleton, 43, entered the plea in Kootenai County District Court and faces up to 14 years in prison. He was charged with grand theft in June after stealing funds from a couple's joint bank account via ATM machines at Chase Bank in Post Falls and the Airway Heights Walmart.

Pendleton made national headlines two years ago with his downtown Spokane Daiquiri Factory. A Spokane Superior Court Judge upheld orders that evicted Pendleton and his business following controversy over one of the bar’s drink names called “Date Grape Koolaid.”

After a warrant was issued for Pendleton's arrest in connection to the stolen funds, he eluded apprehension for more than a month. In September, a citizen's tip led to Pendleton being arrested without incident.

A resident, who was aware that Pendleton was wanted, told police that Pendleton was with a dog near the intersection of Poleline and Stagecoach. When officers responded and saw Pendleton walk into a home in that area, they told a man in front of the residence that they'd like to speak with Pendleton, the police report states.

"The male went into the residence and advised Jaime would be out shortly," the officer's report states. "A few moments later, the male I observed walk into the residence came out with a cellphone and his pictured Washington driver's license, confirming he was Jaime Pendleton."

Post Falls Police Detective Neil Uhrig said in a previous story that the victims do not know Pendleton, and it's unclear exactly how Pendleton was able to tap into their account.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for May 24 in Kootenai County District Court.