By Rob Ollikainen

Olympic Peninsula News Group

A Forks woman has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for taking more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Port Angeles Walmart Supercenter in April, Clallam County prosecutors announced.

Jahnel Williams, 28, was convicted of third-degree theft after a July 12 trial in Clallam County District Court, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Roberson said.

Judge Rick Porter on July 21 sentenced Williams to 364 days in jail with 319 days suspended. Williams was ordered to report to the jail.

“It was a good case to show that business owners get protected in Clallam County and that we take all levels of crime seriously,” Roberson said in a telephone interview.

According to testimony, Williams and an accomplice concealed unpaid merchandise with food that had been purchased at the self-service checkout line at about 2 a.m. April 30, Roberson said.

Williams distracted a cashier while the items were being concealed, Roberson said.

The unpaid merchandise was not recovered.

The accomplice, Corey Black, 31, pleaded guilty in Clallam County District Court to third-degree theft June 27, Roberson said.

Black was sentenced to 15 days in jail. He did not report to jail as ordered July 12, resulting in an active warrant, Roberson said.