Hyrum woman sentenced to jail for stealing from employers

Samantha K. Bybee, 30, charged with seven felony counts of theft and forgery, and four additional misdemeanors.  She is accused of stealing more than $50,000 from two of her previous employers. 

LOGAN — A 30-year-old Hyrum woman, Samantha K. Bybee was sentenced to one-year in jail after pleading guilty to stealing almost $45,000 from two previous employers.

Bybee appeared for sentencing in 1st District Court Tuesday morning.

Defense attorney Shannon Demler told the court, Bybee admitted to taking the money and had tried to come to grips with what she had done. He said a doctor evaluated her, concluding her actions may have been caused by medication she was taking at the time for depression.

Police said Bybee stole $44,000 from the law firm Bearson and Caldwell LLC, in February 2015, after she recently began working for them.

After being terminated, Bybee was hired by Eaton Alliance, a company that helps adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

Police said shortly after being hired, Bybee took two patients’ credit cards and stole another $900.

During sentencing, Judge Brian Cannell told Bybee what she did was despicable and violated people’s trusts. He said he almost sentenced her to prison. As part of the sentence, he allowed her to receive mental health counseling while in jail and said she could be given work release after six-months.

Demler said Bybee has already returned the money she took from the law firm and asked for a restitution hearing, to determine what else she owes the victims.

Bybee told the court she wished to apologize to the people she had hurt and appreciated her family supporting her.

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