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Partner In False Robbery Report Pleads Not Guilty

By Lauren Williams

09/13/2016

Stephen Searcy and Sondra Stutz

(KAIR)--Not guilty.

That’s the plea from the woman accused in connection with a bogus robbery in Atchison earlier this summer.

32-year-old Nortonville resident Sondra Stutz will face a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 15 in Atchison County District court. She faces charges of felony theft, conspiracy to commit arson, interference with a law enforcement officer and conspiracy to commit interference with a law enforcement officer.

The charges stem from a two-month investigation after Stutz reported a strong armed robbery at the Atchison Dollar General.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Stutz claimed she was opening the store—when a man, now accused as her alleged partner in the incident, forced her inside, held her captive and robbed her.

Further investigation revealed the robbery did not occur as she reported, Wilson said.

The pair then attempted to burn Stutz’s vehicle in rural Atchison County, according to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie.

The other charged in the supposed false robbery report, 34-year-old Atchison resident Stephen Searcy pleaded guilty on his charges, conspiracy to interfere with a law enforcement and arson, weeks ago in Atchison County District Court.

In exchange for the guilty plea, Atchison County Prosecutor Jerry Kuckelman dropped other charges of felony theft, interference with a law enforcement officer and conspiracy to commit arson.

Searcy will be sentenced Oct. 3.

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