GAYLORD — Officials contacted by the Herald Times believe justice was served in the embezzlement case of Sherrie Schuster, former Gaylord Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director.

    Representatives of the city of Gaylord, DDA and Michigan Downtown Association (DDA) applauded the decision of 46th Circuit Judge Janet Allen when she sentenced Schuster Thursday morning and ordered her to serve a minimum of three years’ imprisonment in a Michigan state penitentiary for two felony counts of embezzlement and one for forgery.

    Several officials said they feel Schuster needs to serve no less than three years behind bars. Judge Allen has pronounced sentence. Judge Allen told the Herald Times once Schuster gets into the state parole system, her jail time is beyond the judge’s control.

    Judge Allen ordered Schuster to serve three concurrent sentences: two of 3-15 years for embezzlement; one of 3-14 years for forgery. Also included in her sentencing is the requirement to make restitution. The exact amount she owes the city, DDA and MDA has yet to be determined.

    A restitution hearing will be conducted by Judge Allen in the near future. Total fines and court costs also have yet to be determined.

    Judge Allen sent an explanation to the Herald Times in a recent e-mail. She cited two types of sentences regarding felony crimes. Her explanation of Schuster’s sentence:

    It involves “a prison sentence where the judge sentences the defendant to a minimum length of years in prison with the maximum amount of years already being established by the Legislature through a statute. In a prison sentence, the defendant must serve the minimum term as set by the judge, after which time the prisoner’s release from prison then becomes the decision of the Michigan Parole Board.

    “The prisoner can be released from prison under the supervision of the Parole Board anytime after the prisoner has served his/her minimum term. If granted parole, the prisoner remains under the jurisdiction of the Parole Board and can at any time be returned to prison to finish serving the balance of the maximum term.”

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