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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Drug fraud suspect arrested 6x in 1 year

A Spokane woman arrested on felony prescription forgery charges six times in one year has been jailed on an usually high bond of $125,000.

Theresia L. Beckett, 56, has at least eight pending felony charges related to alleged prescription forgeries at Spokane pharmacies since last June.

Beckett was arrested June 16, July 20, Sept. 26, Oct. 14 and April 12 but was out of jail on $60,000 bond when she was arrested again Wednesday at a Walgreens in Spokane Valley.

Beckett is accused of forging a prescription for hydrocodone at the pharmacy, 15510 E. Sprague Ave. Deputies said she tried to flee the business before she was arrested.

Prosecutors asked Judge Michael Price to impose the extraordinarily high bond after Beckett's latest arrest.
Her lawyer, Tim Note, said he "understands the state's frustration."

Price said the prosecutor's request was reasonable.

"I've seen Ms. Beckett time in and time out," Price said. "I'm certainly not trying to be gruff or rude to her, but...every time she bonds out, arguably, she just goes right back out and does it again, possibly within hours. I have some real concerns for Ms. Beckett."

Beckett was convicted of six counts of prescription fraud in 2008 and given two years of probation.



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