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<p>NANTICOKE &#8212; Kendra Marcy Howells, who is accused of pocketing cash while pretending to sell doughnuts for the Nanticoke Junior Football Association, pleaded guilty to some of the charges Wednesday before a district judge.</p><p>Howells, 39, initially faced 17 counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property when she appeared before District Judge Donald Whittaker for a preliminary hearing.</p><p>Per a plea agreement, Howells pleaded guilty to the 17 counts of theft by deception, while the 17 counts of receiving stolen property were withdrawn.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re very happy with the outcome of today&#8217;s proceedings,&#8221; said Howells&#8217; attorney Peter Moses. &#8220;We are happy to get her on the right track and start to move forward.&#8221;</p><p>Howells declined to comment.</p><p>Howells will have to pay a $50 fine for each theft by deception charge &#8212; totaling $850 &#8212; plus court fees.</p><p>In a separate matter, Howells was arraigned Sept. 30 on charges of theft, burglary, criminal trespassing and receiving stolen property, stemming from an incident in April where police say she broke into a home on Pine Street stole medication and over $1,400 in jewelry. Howells allegedly told police she broke into the home to support a heroin and Xanax addiction that had spiraled &#8220;out of control.&#8221;</p><p>Moses said that case is currently in the Luzerne County court system. Court records indicate she is awaiting a formal arraignment on those charges, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Luzerne County Courthouse.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Kendra Marcy Howells was charged for swindling 17 people into buying donuts and keeping the cash. 11/4/2015 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL110515donuts1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Kendra Marcy Howells was charged for swindling 17 people into buying donuts and keeping the cash. 11/4/2015 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Doughnut scam suspect takes plea deal