Cheryl J. Beene, the former executive director of a Cortez nonprofit that serves victims of domestic violence, was bound over in Montezuma County District Court on Wednesday on charges of stealing money and an Xbox 360 Console system from the nonprofit’s thrift store.
During Wednesday’s disposition hearing, Beene was scheduled for arraignment before District Judge Todd Jay Plewe at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Montezuma County Combined Courts. There is no misdemeanor disposition at this time.
Beene was charged in September with one count of felony theft, one count of misdemeanor theft and one felony count of tampering with a witness, according to 22nd Judicial District Attorney Will Furse.
According to a report filed by Deputy Yvonne McClellan, Renew employees and volunteers alleged Beene helped herself to donations at the thrift store without paying for them and used money from donation jars for personal use, including lunches.
A felony theft charge alleges Beene stole a Xbox 360 Console system, controllers and games that had been donated by Child’s Play Charity to the Renew store in May 2015.
“This game was to be installed at the Renew Safe House for the residents,” the report states. It was valued at $2,310, which includes the cost of the cabinet.
The game system was later identified as an item to be sold at the thrift shop, but it was instead loaded into a trailer of a Beene family member and was not purchased, according to witness accounts relayed in the report. A thrift store employee reported Beene told her, “If you are ever asked, I paid for a gaming system,” which resulted in the charge of tampering with a witness.
A misdemeanor theft charge is related to allegations that Beene stole cash from a donation jar at the thrift store intended to assist victims of domestic violence.
Rose Jergens, Renew’s management consultant, said the nonprofit has continued to provide programs and services to victims of domestic violence.
Journal reporter Jim Mimiaga contributed to this report.
