MOUNT VERNON – A former vounteer for a non-profit that helps those with mental ilness has been sentenced to jail on theft and forgery charges. Stephanie Turner was sentenced Friday by Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Wetzel to 45 days behind bars for stealing $29,000 dollars from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Knox County last year.
Shortly after Turner’s indictment NAMI Executive Director Dodie Melvin told KnoxPages.com that she and Turner became acquainted in 2009. Turner became a participant in one of the agency’s support groups. She then became a volunteer in the agency’s East Vine Street office and helped to lead a support group.
“I thoroughly trusted her…I thought she was our friend,” said Melvin.
Turner was accused of writing 40 fraudulent checks and using the agency’s debit card to pay for car repairs and for other personal uses.