Belmont Woman Pleads Guilty in Mail Theft Incident

A Belmont woman with previous criminal problems has pled guilty in a theft incident from last year.

Sonya Katherine Spooner was sentenced to 12 months in the House of Correction last week for stealing mail from the Pepper Defense Supply Store on North State Street in September 2012.

Spooner was caught on video surveillance on the day in question grabbing a package from the store’s mailbox. She and Travis Dickinson, also of Belmont, fled the scene after the theft in an SUV. Brian Blackden, the owner of the store, followed the two as they fled while a friend contacted police. The two were later arrested. 

In January, Blackden alleged that Dickinson was in his store a week before the theft, potentially casing the place. The video of the crime helped in the resolution leading to the plea. 

Spooner will serve the time consecutively along with charges that were pending from previous probation violations. The sentence includes time in the Merrimack County SOAR (Successful Offender Adjustment Re-entry) program where she is expected to receive alcohol and drug counseling and later, administrative home confinement and electronic monitoring.

Blackden, in an email, said he felt satisfied with the outcome.

“I feel that due to Ms. Spooner's previous problems and incarceration, this program may be of benefit to assist her in rehabilitation,” he wrote. “There is a component of both punishment and rehabilitation in the sentence which I hope are successful for her. The theft of my property, while troublesome and indicative of prior bad choices, is forgivable if she succeeds in her future endeavors."

It is unknown at post time what will happen to Dickinson, who was charged with criminal liability for conduct of another in the case.