James sentenced for forgery

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man is serving 30 days in jail after stealing more than $1,000 from his stepfather’s business.

Lucas S. James, 25, pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in the second degree in Grant County Superior Court.

He had no previous convictions.

Grant County Superior Judge John Knodell sentenced the man to 30 days in jail after prosecutors recommended a first time offender waiver and the 30 day sentence be converted to community service, according to court records.

“Mr. James took responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty as charged to both felonies, and as such a sentence inside the standard sentence range was appropriate,” Prosecutor Angus Lee stated.

James wrote 10 checks totaling about $1,400 to himself after stealing the checkbook from his stepfather’s office, according to a Moses Lake police report. The man discovered the thefts when several checks were returned to him because of insufficient funds.

James admitted to writing the checks, according to the police report.