Lohmiller gets 90 days DOC-time
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Former county employee Rebecca Lohmiller, who was convicted in September of practicing medicine without a license and fraud (for signing "R.N." after her name on official documents and correspondence), was sentenced Sept. 13 to four years - two suspended and two to be served on inhome detention. Lohmiller served as the county health nurse for approximately five years.

Immediately following her sentencing, Lohmiller refused to wear the transmitting bracelet on her ankle as required by the in-home detention program.

Lohmiller was initially supervised by the White County Probation Dept. because of her close affiliation with Carroll County. She was dismissed by White County from the program because of their inability to monitor her when she refused to wear the bracelet. Carroll County's In-Home Detention Program assumed monitoring duties Sept. 24.

According to testimony by program coordinator Callie Schimmel at a Feb. 21 probation violation hearing, 14 days after monitoring began by Carroll County, the program received a report Lohmiller was seen in a grocery store when she was granted permission to only visit her doctor. Schimmel additionally testified that monitoring documents revealed the transmitter had been removed numerous times from Nov. 18 through Jan. 24.

Under oath, John Lohmiller, Rebecca's husband, said that his wife consumed alcohol during the holidays. He said he knew that was a violation of the terms of her probation. He said she told him it was allowed.

Mr. Lohmiller testified that due to a Jan. 25 gall bladder surgery, his wife was prescribed several addictive drugs. He said since taking the drugs, his wife "has become somewhat different."

However, Carroll County Prosecutor Tricia Thompson noted the surgery happened after the last time the bracelet was documented as being removed.

Mrs. Lohmiller did not take the stand in her own defense.

Special Judge Linley Pearson of Clinton County sentenced Mrs. Lohmiller to 90 days in the Indiana Department of Corrections, which may likely be served in the Carroll County Jail. DOC reimburses a county to house its prisoners.

"I don't want Carroll County to pay for that," he told her.

"Here's what you've got hanging over your head if you do this again," he said. "If you violate again, you will do the full time."

The judge admonished Mrs. Lohmiller to abide by all terms of probation, which include drinking no alcohol and not sending E-mails in which she signs her name with "R.N.