Comments on: Former Ernest Ward Middle Bookkeeper Sentenced For Grand Theft

By: Ernest ward parent

Ernest ward parent — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 02:34:54 +0000

What’s bad is these kids worked so hard raising money and doing fund raisers like bagging groceries all day along with parents and the whole time she was asking how much was raised and took everybit. Cheer uniforms went to her even the kids change jar was tooken. She knew what she was doing and had no remorse. It takes someone low to take for kids. Especially when they’re doing fund raisers because they don’t have the money themselves. Everybody struggles but not everyone steals. Shame on you.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:15:35 +0000

The Judge in this case did a perfect job . The problem is these structured bonds set after arrest . Two or three factors aren’t enough to keep the public safe . When you have the time to commit numerous criminal offenses then the bond amount for release should go up .

By: Sedition

Sedition — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:15:02 +0000

That’s it?
No wonder crime runs rampant across the country…criminals either receive no punishment or light sentences.
With this happening…no real punishments or deterrents… crime will continue to grow.
That’s going to force things to get ugly.

By: Jack Sherburg

Jack Sherburg — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:16:06 +0000

@Whisperjet You are right. The problem is State prison is full. About 65% of the people are have a life sentence. It grows every year. We need to bring back parole and empty some bed space. Then we can do something. If we build more prisons then we will complain about higher taxs. I say let them out of prison, give them a full pardon, seal their criminal records, under the condition that they leave the US and give up their US Citizenship. Let it be some other counties problem., That is what they are doing to us. Plus see how they like the foreign prisons, lol. Most people doing life are there for murder or a sex offense.

By: Voices in Pensacola

Voices in Pensacola — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:10:40 +0000

I disagree with the assessment that this is a lenient sentence. Extensive prison time is not the cure all for all crimes, especially for non-violence where there is no potential of people being physically attacked.

As for the weak judges and prosecutors:

1. Both Governors Scott and DeSantis appointed this judge to the First Judicial Circuit. (There’s an archived article in this website about it.)

2. The School District reached a deal with the prosecutors. I do not think that was reached lightly.

I think the multiple layers of punishment are both enough and eyebrow raising for others who might attempt the same. Everyone in the system did their jobs professionally and responsibly.

By: Susie

Susie — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:59:41 +0000

She’ll serve the rest of her life as a thief in many people’s eyes. You better pray, girl and pray often.

By: Eric M

Eric M — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:24:15 +0000

If she needed money bad enough to steal … where did she get the 52k to pay back the restitution?

Home equity loan?

Why not do similar in the first place, versus steal from kids?

By: Whisperjet

Whisperjet — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:16:58 +0000

…slap on the wrist..shudda been 5 years on state prison…America has too many judges that obviously are off their meds…

By: Doni

Doni — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:55:41 +0000

What a great example for the kids you can steal lots of money from kids and get a slap on the wrist and wonder why there is so much crime now This Judge needs to be called out just the way she did it for so long just sad!!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:21:23 +0000

A defendant actually paying restitution . Amazing ! Kind of rare . Judge might have considered that .