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Lodi travel agent Cindy Kent gets five years in prison
A former Lodi travel agent convicted of bilking her clients was sentenced Thursday to more than five years in prison, double the minimum amount of time prosecutors had requested.
Cindy Kent, 49, will serve about half that time before she is paroled. She was also ordered to pay more than $82,000 in restitution to the victims, who said they don't expect to ever see the actual money.
A jury in April convicted Kent of 13 felony counts of theft and forgery, deciding in their verdict that she took clients' money and then never booked trips.
"She took their money, she did something with it and goodness knows where it is," San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Linda Lofthus said during Thursday's hour-long sentencing.
One such trip involved 77 St. Mary's High School students who found themselves at the airport in spring 2007 with no tickets to Hawaii.
Kent fixed things, but the students and parents didn't know she had used previous clients' credit cards to buy plane tickets. A 17-year-old girl's ticket was purchased with a military man's credit card, causing air marshals to pull the girl from a plane and strip-search her. Two chaperones also had to pay out of pocket for hotel rooms that hadn't been booked, though each student had paid Kent $1,100 for the whole trip. Those chaperones, Ed Sullivan and Jeanette Fernandez, were among half a dozen people watching the sentencing Thursday.
Kent never looked at them, nor did she express any emotion when hearing the sentence and the judge's strong remarks.
Fernandez and Kent had previously been friends, with Fernandez going to Kent's divorce court proceedings and even helping pick out a dress Kent would wear in her coffin if she died from cancer.
The contentious divorce and cancer diagnosis were Kent's main defenses — that they mentally incapacitated her so she had no idea what was happening to her previously successful business. The jury didn't buy it.
"Many people get cancer, many people get divorced and many people get cancer and get divorced at the same time," said Lofthus, mentioning that she had spent a number of years as a family law attorney before becoming a judge. "But those people didn't go out and commit crimes against their close friends."
Kent had apologized during a Monday pre-sentencing hearing, during which Lofthus made careful notes and watched Kent closely. The judge noted Thursday that Kent had only apologized for the "inconvenience" caused to others.
"The only time I saw her cry on Monday was when someone said how sorry they felt for her. She didn't have a single tear for Jeanette Fernandez," Lofthus said. Fernandez had broken down crying when she spoke about her former friend.
Deputy District Attorney Stephen Maier had asked for a prison sentence of at least two years, eight months. Kent's attorney, Russell Humphrey, asked for probation or time in the county jail rather than state prison.
Humphrey noted that prosecutors had initially offered Kent a plea deal of community service. Just before trial, they made an offer of four months in jail.
"I don't understand, nor do I think it's fair at this point, for the court to impose another five years just for going to trial," Humphrey said, noting that he'd settled other cases involving much more money for less jail time.
Lofthus said she had the same opinion before trial, but then thought perhaps Kent had a good defense.
"But I think in this case she made her own bed. She chose to reject community service," the judge said.
Humphrey also asked that Kent not go to prison until after she finishes a 10-week treatment at University of California, San Francisco's medical center. Though her cancer went into remission, doctors have not been able to get control of a thyroid problem, Humphrey said.
The judge declined to postpone the prison sentence.
"She will get good health care in prison, and people in prison get better health care than many citizens in society," Lofthus said.
The judge ordered Kent to pay a total of $82,582.80 in restitution to six victims, with interest accruing at 10 percent from the time the crimes were committed. Lofthus also noted that even if she had given Kent probation, her health and her ruined business would make it virtually impossible to repay the money.
Sullivan, who smiled when the judge said she would impose a five-year sentence, later said he was relieved, though he doesn't expect to ever see the $9,273 he is owed.
Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
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ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:36 PM:
geez... the things you learn in here are amazing.. "
ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:32 PM:
my websters is the ebonics edition.. it was a special order item, currently out of print. Gotsta keep my street lingo fresh fo my bruthas...
I try to focus on my white bread edition for this board. I can tell this is a cracker crowd
PS.. freddy says... "Hi There" "
ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:25 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:13 PM:
ebstein's mother wrote on Jul 2, 2009 6:12 PM:
Ernie.... you must have an updated version of webster's. It's not in mine! "
froggy wrote on Jul 2, 2009 5:16 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jul 2, 2009 12:47 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:15 AM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:12 AM:
I don't know this lady personally, but it's clear what kind of person she is. Websters defines "any woman who deceives her own family and friends for financial gain" as a beeeaaatch! "
spirit wrote on Jul 2, 2009 9:49 AM:
ebstein's mother wrote on Jul 2, 2009 12:55 AM:
ebstein's mother wrote on Jul 2, 2009 12:51 AM:
You two amaze me that you can have this banter going back and forth and the issue here is Cindy. It's sad to me Ernie that you have such a hateful heart that you could talk trash without even knowing the kind of person Cindy really is. And you hubby, you sound like a hater either way you look at it. You say you're not on her side that others are involved then put up or shut up. Why should she go to jail alone? Who know's maybe you were helping her. You seem to know a lot about the situation.
P.S. Juan has the flu! Freddy can leave his homework on the porch. "
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 10:13 PM:
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 9:43 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:34 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:18 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:16 PM:
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:13 PM:
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:06 PM:
You must be beyond the working class people of America therefore just another smart ass freeloader! "
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:55 PM:
PS.. baaaaaaaahhhh baaaaaaaaaahhhh "
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:43 PM:
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:40 PM:
Have to admit your a bigger smart ass than me... you win!! lol
That was a good one ROTFLMAO
Church is the best place for a cheat and liar to be and come to a place of repentance to God for the sins they have committed and hopefully change their lives. I personally don't go to church therefore don't really care what you think about God or anything else!!
Just enjoy provoking you...LOL
So easily done. "
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:19 PM:
I heard today that Nike introduced a new Cindy Kent signature running shoe.. It has a Dr. Scholl's insole, so you too can be gellin like a felon...
badabing badaboom! "
ernest t wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:56 PM:
Yo Ebsteins Mother... Juan was not at school today. What was his excuse this time? Mr. Kotter gave his homework to Freddie "boom boom" Washington. "
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:44 PM:
So how does it feel to put her away and you still have to pay for her vacation in prison plus medical? "
hubby wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:38 PM:
Your making the goat nervous, sounds like you have experience with that kind of stuff! "
spirit wrote on Jul 1, 2009 5:16 PM:
cinder wrote on Jul 1, 2009 3:58 PM:
Ebstein's Mother wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:35 PM:
I hope when she gets out she'll go back to using her maiden name and get away from that whole kent family and the likes of people who want to bring her down. "
ernest t wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:54 PM:
Let me in on your strategies, maybe we can get together and solve the JFK assassination too.. i've got a copy of the zapruder film you could analyze
also, i saw a 2yr old escape goat on craigslist today if you're interested. I believe it was free.. "
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:17 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:16 PM:
How do you no so much are you related to the ex-husband or wife....hmmm. "
hubby wrote on Jun 29, 2009 6:29 PM:
Thanks for the normal response without poetry and some weird goat fetish!
Unfortunately the papers have already been file to stop Alimony payments while Ms Kent is incarcerated so people better hurry to get their take before its too late!It seems to me the alimony could at least pay the victims or the state prison
It almost seems planned don't it?
Documents have been submitted....
By the way, where did the court system find her Lawyer anyway? "
cinder wrote on Jun 28, 2009 8:43 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 28, 2009 12:21 PM:
personally, i'm more interested in this runaway goat thing.. "
hubby wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:19 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:17 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:12 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:04 PM:
I just know she wasnt the only one involved with this crime. I dont have anger issues, I think its funny you respond! "
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:02 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:00 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 10:49 PM:
oh, and by the way, it's actually spelled "Scapegoat".. an "escape goat" is an animal that gets loose from your yard.. and i'm sure i'm right when i say "Your Yard"...lol "
spirit wrote on Jun 27, 2009 10:28 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 27, 2009 10:16 PM:
Trust me, if you were involved with her scheme you will pay your dues, even if you do work for the state! lol
I wish I could have an escape goat like her!!
Still cant imagine her husband not knowing what was going on....Maybe he was doing someone else at the time she was checking in for him!
Still have to call a spade a spade....or should I say adultrist.
Silent partner my A%#!!
Maybe it was really his plan from the beginning? Ever think about that or are you doing him also?
If you were responsible for a trip to Hawaii why didn't you know if all the arrangements were confirmed or not? Wow! I'm glad you didn't work for a travel agency!! Or did you?
Cry some more and maybe I Will believe you too!!
Cindy is paying for what she has done who will be next?
Whats up with the gay poetry? Sounds like you should change your diaper "
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 3:11 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 3:07 PM:
luvdembuts wrote on Jun 27, 2009 1:32 AM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:17 AM:
never once thought she'd sit on the mile
but she got a tough judge
now she's handing out fudge
to some butch puttin cramps in her style
bing,.. hey, i'm here all week! "
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:13 AM:
with idiots to follow her scent
she led them like puppies
while posing as yuppies
now the feds are providing her rent!
booyow boyeeeee "
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:09 AM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:04 AM:
if all you armchair reverends believe in the lords master plan, then maybe the lord put her where she is to teach her a lesson.. ever think of that?
A wise man once said, wherever you go, there you are. "
keep it real wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:21 PM:
keep it real wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:19 PM:
Also, last time I checked......and I do deal with the state alot.....it is not a crime to go on vacation when you're on disability. "
keep it real wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:08 PM:
Maybe the Fed and State should check out her books and go after her for employer related tax evasion. I'm sure she owes them a pretty penny just like all her victims!
Then again....just to prove a point, most of you don't know what you're talking about. "
hubby wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:53 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:38 PM:
luvdembuts wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:32 PM:
hubby wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:05 PM:
luvdembuts wrote on Jun 26, 2009 1:23 AM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 26, 2009 1:12 AM:
walkin the mile,.. walkin the mile... "
ernest t wrote on Jun 26, 2009 1:08 AM:
Sammy says.. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. "
keep it real wrote on Jun 26, 2009 12:37 AM:
keep it real wrote on Jun 26, 2009 12:37 AM:
FACT this is the problem, you don't even know what you are talking about .... You only know what she told you and not the true facts.... FACT long before the other WOMAN they had problems. I won't go into all the details but look at the dates of her victims and the fact of the court transcripts and not what you want to believe and what she told you. You would not make statements like that .. That does NOT give her the right to lie,steal and cheat people out of their HARD working dollars and if you're her family and you love her you should have came here and stopped her so called best friend from helping her do all of this. She should be in jail with her! "
Lodian wrote on Jun 26, 2009 12:25 AM:
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 25, 2009 9:50 PM:
I live in Oklahoma and I was not in California to help her. If I could have I would have. I have been praying for the victims and her as well..
Her "real family memebers" as you call them turned their back on her long before this ever came out.. Her ex husband left her for another woman.. where was his support in all this? "
Lodian wrote on Jun 25, 2009 2:48 PM:
keep it real wrote on Jun 24, 2009 9:55 PM:
Her doctor did testify under oath that she is and has been in remission from cancer. Now for the real FAMILY members who did try to help her. She turned away, lied and stole from them. This is FACT! She now has plenty of time to reflect on her actions and as far as the medical, if it was drugs then they will detox her and will get her thyroid issue under control. "
keep it real wrote on Jun 24, 2009 9:53 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 24, 2009 8:31 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:31 PM:
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 24, 2009 6:08 PM:
EXODUS 20:12 STATES TO HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
EXODUS 20:14 STATES DO NOT COMMIT ADULTRY..
THE BIBLE ALSO STATES NOT TO JUDGE ONE ANOUTHER..
I WOULD BE UPSET IF MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER WENT THROUGH WHAT ONE OF THE VICTIMS DID, I WOULD BE MAD, WANT JUSTICE, BUT WOULD I WOULD NOT DO AS A CHILD OF GOD IS GET ON HERE AND DOG SOMEONE THEY WAY YOU HAVE ALL DOG CINDY..
MAY GOD BE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS ORDEAL.. "
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 24, 2009 6:05 PM:
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN,HOW WILL BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DOWN ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. MAY JESUS CHRIST BE WITH THE VICTIMS AS WELL AS WITH CINDY AND HER FAMILY.. AS A FAMILY MEMBER, I WOULD TRUST CINDY WITH EVERYTHING I HAD IN LIFE.. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL THAT HAS COMMENTED ON HERE, AND EVERYONE IS IN OUR PRAYERS. GOD BLESS YOU ALL "
Lodian wrote on Jun 23, 2009 4:27 PM:
DeputyChief wrote on Jun 22, 2009 5:36 PM:
Cogito wrote on Jun 22, 2009 5:16 PM:
dyan wrote on Jun 22, 2009 1:33 PM:
ernest t wrote on Jun 22, 2009 1:27 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 21, 2009 12:46 PM:
1 Normal Guy wrote on Jun 21, 2009 11:06 AM:
adjustment)in state prison. "
ernest t wrote on Jun 21, 2009 12:22 AM:
I know Ms. Kent has the overwhelming support from her local church members. But let this be a lesson to all you fair weather christians who have the amazing ability to pick and choose their own commandments from the Lords book and omit those that don't appeal to you. "Thou shalt not steal, lie and bear false witness" were all in there the last time i looked. They've also added a few new ones in the latest printing of the new testament...
Thou shalt not commit identity theft
Thou shalt not commit credit card fraud
Thou shalt not wear handcuffs and chains, (unless you're in a heavy metal band)
Thou shalt not wear an orange jumpsuit (unless it's halloween, or unless you've overlooked the top two shall nots...)
In celebration of justice served, i've ordered a new license plate in her honor... KARMASUX "
cinder wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:36 PM:
Husband/Son had to get out of the business or they would have been co-conspirators in her crimes. Son would have not only lost his mother, but his career in law-enforcement. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:44 PM:
This is the first time she got caught. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:43 PM:
nawneesbabies: Why didn't you stop her from committing these crimes? "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:40 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:36 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:32 PM:
the Bible states in John 8:7
So when they continued asking him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, He without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. and they all turned and left...so lets not judge please it has already been done...keep your chin up Cindy we are praying for you... "
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:07 PM:
spirit wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:07 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:05 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:57 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:56 PM:
" Boy you people sure are quick to judge..."
No, the Judge made the decision and she did a good job of it too. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:51 PM:
spirit wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:47 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:51 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:41 AM:
"The contentious divorce and cancer diagnosis were Kent's main defenses"
Kent should be happy she isn't going to serve more prison time. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:39 AM:
"Many people get cancer, many people get divorced and many people get cancer and get divorced at the same time," said Lofthus, mentioning that she had spent a number of years as a family law attorney before becoming a judge. "But those people didn't go out and commit crimes against their close friends."
.................... "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:38 AM:
"A 17-year-old girl's ticket was purchased with a military man's credit card, causing air marshals to pull the girl from a plane and strip-search her"
................... "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:37 AM:
"The contentious divorce and cancer diagnosis were Kent's main defenses — that they mentally incapacitated her so she had no idea what was happening to her previously successful business. The jury didn't buy it."
............... "
spirit wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:01 AM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 10:05 AM:
Cindy is sick and not using that for an excuse.... "
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 20, 2009 10:03 AM:
froggy wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:50 AM:
Commandments. Please all of you involved the case is closed the jury has spoken move on to State Prison. Life is good and justice prevailed. "
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:51 PM:
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:49 PM:
Cogito wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:01 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:00 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:42 PM:
" Jbhiker
Yeh, this is nothing compared to others that will be surfacing soon. "
Oh, Lou, are you up to your old tricks again? LOL! "
okiememaw43 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:15 PM:
froggy wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:22 PM:
cinder wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:20 PM:
nawneesbabies wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:31 PM:
cinder wrote on Jun 19, 2009 5:18 PM:
CATBRAT wrote on Jun 19, 2009 4:49 PM:
froggy wrote on Jun 19, 2009 4:38 PM:
weezer wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:24 PM:
---Sad fact.
Kudos to the jury and Judge Lofthus who saw through the failed deception attempt that Kent's medical condition contributed to the crime.
Ripping off people is deliberate and intentional. "
CATBRAT wrote on Jun 19, 2009 2:36 PM:
froggy wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:50 AM:
Justice has prevailed "
Lou wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:53 AM:
Yeh, this is nothing compared to others that will be surfacing soon. "
jbhiker wrote on Jun 19, 2009 5:04 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.