News – Sheridan Media
[[{“value”:”
A change of plea hearing was held Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court for a Sheridan woman charged with felony theft. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
On October 13, 2025, the loss prevention manager at Wal-Mart contacted the Sheridan Police Department about an individual who had been “tag switching” at self-checkout. Tag switching is when a person switches tags on items and then only scans the less expensive items, but ends up putting all of the items in a bag at self-checkout.
The information provided to law enforcement led to the arrest of 48-year-old Diana Zaft-Freedman. The criminal activity occurred between August 18 and October 9 of 2025, when Zaft-Freedman stole over $1,300 of merchandise by switching tags.
Zaft-Freedman, pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement reached with the State, pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft at a hearing Tuesday in District Court. The State is recommending a sentence of 2 to 4 years in prison, suspended in favor of three years of supervised probation.
District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation report be completed by the Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole and scheduled sentencing for August 20 at 9 am.
If Zaft-Freedman can pay the restitution amount of $1,304.57 in full prior to sentencing, the State will then recommend a deferred sentence and three years of probation. The plea agreement is non-binding, meaning the Court can reject the agreement altogether at sentencing and issue a completely different sentence and the defendant cannot reject their guilty plea.
Also from District Court:
Sheridan Woman Arraigned for Endangering Children
An arraignment hearing for 41-year-old Sarah Thunder was held Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court. Thunder, at the hearing, pleaded not guilty to two counts of endangering children for knowingly and willfully permitting children to remain in a room, dwelling, or vehicle where she knew methamphetamine was stored or ingested.
District Court Judge Darci Phillips scheduled a two-day jury trial to begin on October 14, 2026. A pretrial conference will take place September 10 at 9 am. Thunder’s bond was continued under the same terms and conditions that were previously set in Sheridan County Circuit Court.
Thunder’s arrest stems from an incident on April 25, 2026, when the Sheridan Police Department responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence in Sheridan. If convicted, Thunder faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
“}]]
More Like this
Last modified: May 27, 2026