Woman Fined $2,000 After Months-Long Crime Spree in Brandon

URGENT UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events, Jenna Mallette has been fined $2,000 instead of serving jail time for her involvement in a months-long crime spree. This sentence was handed down in a Brandon provincial courtroom on September 25, 2023, after her defense highlighted her significant transformation.

Mallette pleaded guilty to various charges, including theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, stemming from crimes committed between fall 2022 and spring 2023. Crown attorney Rich Lonstrup detailed how police had received multiple complaints about stolen items, which were not recovered until October when a stolen vehicle was found in a rural area outside of Brandon.

“We don’t know who took what,” Lonstrup stated. “What we know is Miss Mallette was affiliated with two negative individuals during this period.” Video evidence linked Mallette to the thefts, including a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander that belonged to a woman who was caring for her mother in a hospital at the time. The theft resulted in the loss of critical personal items, including birth certificates and mobility aids.

Mallette’s handprint was found on the stolen vehicle, and surveillance footage showed her disguised while operating one of the stolen cars. Lonstrup noted that her actions led to expenses of at least $4,000 that day alone. Despite the seriousness of the offenses, he recommended against jail time due to Mallette’s extensive rehabilitation efforts.

“This accused stands apart from the vast majority in having made some breathtaking rehabilitative efforts,” Lonstrup emphasized. Mallette’s defense attorney, Jennifer Janssens, argued for leniency, citing Mallette’s remarkable steps toward recovery, including completing over 16 months of treatment at the Behavioural Health Foundation.

Mallette, now working as an intake counselor, expressed her commitment to helping others through her experiences. “The only thing I can take from it is to help other people with what I have been through,” she stated.

Judge Patrick Sullivan acknowledged the gravity of Mallette’s offenses but agreed that her exceptional circumstances warranted a less severe sentence. “Our community is safer when the underlying issues fueling offending are addressed,” he said.

As Mallette embarks on a two-year supervised probation, the community watches closely, hopeful for her continued recovery and contribution to society. This developing story highlights the complex interplay of justice and rehabilitation in addressing crime.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.