for Cecilia Rodriguez
COURT JUDGE CALLS AN OKLAHOMA CITY WOMAN A ‘ONE-PERSON CRIME WAVE’
Published: March 21, 2009

For shoplifting two purses, an Oklahoma City woman was sentenced Friday to life in prison.

Cecilia Cathleen Rodriguez The Oklahoma City woman was sentenced to life in prison.


A judge imposed the unusually long term after learning the shoplifter is a heroin addict who has been punished almost 30 other times for theft-related crimes. The stealing dates to 1971, records show.

"It’s past time to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott said. "She needs to be warehoused for the rest of her life. She’s a one-person crime wave.”

Cecilia Cathleen Rodriguez, 56, pleaded guilty in January to grand larceny. She was caught a year ago at a Dillard’s store stealing a $275 purse and a $380 purse, records show.

Her attorney said she shoplifted to support her drug habit. She cared for her mother and lived off monthly disability checks and food stamps, according to a presentencing report prepared for the judge. She has never had a steady job.

The judge also revoked Rodriguez’s probation on a 2000 larceny case, meaning she has 19 more years to serve in prison after completing her life term.

Her arrest record shows theft cases in California, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. She has gone to prison before for thefts. She also went to prison for a 1983 assault. Her attorney said some of the crimes actually were done by others using her name.

The judge noted the outcomes on all her criminal cases were not known so she may have even more convictions.

The judge criticized legislators who complain state prisons are overcrowded because of inmates sent there for crimes such as larceny. He called Rodriguez a "poster child” for why it’s OK to send thieves to prison.

"We’ve got to do something,” Elliott said. "She’s costing every hard-working taxpayer in this state money because these businesses have to raise prices because thieves like her come in and steal because, I guess, they’re too lazy to go work.”

In the report to the judge, a probation and parole officer wrote, "Her need to support her addiction overpowers the remorse that she expresses for the crimes she has committed. ... Her substance abuse began in the 1960s. Her drug of choice is heroin. Her criminal history began in the early 1970s.”

Her family complained after the sentencing that Rodriguez needs treatment for her drug problem rather than being sent to prison for life.

"It’s all wrong,” said her mother, Geneva Gabriel, 78. "She hasn’t done any violent crime. She has a problem. ... Prison’s not going to help her. She’s been in and out so many times. She’s a good girl. She just needs help. She has seizures.”

Defense attorney Chris Daniels said he will ask the judge in a year to reduce the sentence. "It costs a ton of money to lock somebody up for that long,” the attorney said.

Okay...this doesn't sound okay to me. Yes, she has a problem...a big one...but prison for life? For LIFE!?? Damnit...cold blooded killers get less at times. Drug dealers get less most often. Child molesters get less.

A habitual criminal needs help. Yes. I definately believe she should get some jail time...then off to a facility to get real help.

So...let's see 40 years (life here) plus the 19 revoked...59 years for stealing two purses to support her drug habit. No parol?

Kat

Kat

Sorry bout her luck

it was more than just 2 purses is the reason for her sentence....maybe too high but many arrests and drug habits helped the judgement

Seriously.... what ever happened to just cutting off the hands?

It was two purses this time she got caught. She got caught a Dillards here at one of the malls.

She has a long record of theivery...yet she should get some kind of other punishment to pay for her crimes. Life?? Hello.......what next? A habitual speeder who gets so many tickets will be labled as high risk and get life as well?

Drunk drivers may get some time...but they do get out. They are putting all our families at risk...do they get life?

Kat

Then the manicurist is displaced, Duh!

i didn't clarify too high....not her...the sentence.

the long history plus her drug use was a factor....she can appeal. don't do the crime

Then the manicurist is displaced, Duh!



Ahhhh yes, we must always think of the shoplifters that steal for their insane manicure addictions lol.

DAMN FRENCH TIPS

I think its to high a price to the taxpayers to put her in prison at 30,000 a year. But then again how much stuff is she really stealing.
A guy broke in to my house and stole some stuff. Got caught I got my stuff back. He would have done seven years. But I talked to the prosecuter and he got six months. Less then a year later he ODed,

Then the manicurist is displaced, Duh!



Ahhhh yes, we must always think of the shoplifters that steal for their insane manicure addictions lol.
DAMN FRENCH TIPS

Then again, if they wanted a tattoo on their hand, they could leave it and go do errands.

I undrestand that darlin. But it is still too high of a price to pay for stealing. It just is.

I was as bad a drug addict as they come a few years back. I was a menace. Did I deserve life sentencing for it? Oh wait a minute...I did get a life sentence. Can't get a good job...can't get an apartment...yada yada.

I turned out okay. I am a good person. people can't change? In fact the way I heard it...once you done your time...and paid for all the fines and crap...and you became a productive member of society (ha!! luck with that) all is forgiven. Tell that to the wall.

Kat

I didn't sentence her...I didn't arrest her. i didn't steal, assault or do drugs

she has the right to appeal the decision

I prescribe, God has us where he needs us. It is our choice what we do with where God has us.
If the gal gets straight and atones for the damage she has inflicted on herself, her family and community, she can be an example for God, to help give hope to others like her. Even if she has to do it behind bars.

You are right rose. I apologize if I made it sound as if I was directing my comments "at " you.

No such doing.

It hits a nerve with me.


Kat

Most junkies are a lost cause. If she STILL hasn't cleaned up her act after all of those past arrests then she will NEVER change and try to kick the habit.

I agree a life sentence in jail is too harsh. Heroin is pretty common and easy to get in prison. Most of the crooked guards smuggle it in. Plus...there are not enough doctors to monitor her from her withdrawls and she will most likely die her first 2 weeks in prison if she doesn't get a fix.

I would propose a maximum security ward of a treatment center or psych ward under care. But who am I to judge?

I hope you are right willing.

God did indeed come to me and make me see that all was as it should be at that time.
I actually found peace in jail.
Kat

So....... does the chick get parole?

She can get clean and stay clean in prison.

there's no problem Kat

She will truley need meds to keep her half sane while locked up.
Her chances of being extremely sick and need for medical help is dire.
I know quite a few junkies that are doing good and work...live a clean life...

Though..there are many that can't keep away from old haunts and people.

I am one that made it out. I have many years clean. No thoughts of doing ANY drugs.

Kat