Montana woman pleads guilty to stealing from Forest Service fee-tubes

COEUR d’ALENE — Michaeleen Rae Herron, 45, of Lolo, Mont., pleaded guilty Thursday to theft of public money, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Herron was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d’Alene on May 15, 2018, and has remained in federal custody since her arrest on Sept. 19, 2018.

According to statements made in court, on Oct. 20, 2016, Herron went campgrounds maintained by the United States Forest Service and stole money from campground fee-tubes.

Herron admitted that she fished money through deposit slots and pried fee-tubes open to take the money. Herron admitted that she stole $500.

Herron’s sentencing is set for Dec. 18 before Chief U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene. Herron faces up to one year in prison, and a $100,000 fine for her crime.

This case was investigated by law enforcement officers with the United States Forest Service.