A sentencing hearing for a Garwin woman who pleaded guilty in 2021 to stealing funds from the GMG Booster Club has been continued in Tama County District Court.

Thirty-five-year-old Johna Smith of Garwin was arrested on September 9th following an initial investigation into the incident by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed that Smith allegedly stole more than $4,500 from the GMG School District Parent’s Association, also known as the GMG Booster Club.

According to court documents, Smith served as treasurer and was in possession of a club debit card when the transactions in questions were made in July and August of 2021.

Smith currently faces two counts of second-degree theft and one count of third-degree theft.

Smith was arraigned in early November, at which time she pled not guilty to all three charges while awaiting an initial court trial in January of 2022.

On December 15th, Smith instead pleaded guilty to the first court of second-degree theft brought forth against her as part of a plea agreement with counts two and three, in turn, being dismissed.

The court accepted the plea ahead of Smith’s initial sentencing hearing on February 3rd in Tama County court. At that time, a decision was made for the sentencing to be continued to February 24th.

Smith faces a maximum sentence of up to five year behind bars and a fine totaling more than $10,000.