February 11, 2021 By Jon King / jking@whmi.com
Sentencing has been handed down to a man who admitted to cashing fraudulent bottle return slips worth nearly $1,000.
40-year old Eric Lowman of Oceola Township was charged last year, along with 38-year old Shane Whiteman of New Hudson, of carrying out a scheme involving cashing fake bottle return slips on several occasions at the Fowlerville Walmart. In August, Lowman entered a plea deal with prosecutors, waiving his trial by jury and pleading guilty to all 3 charges against him; two counts of uttering and publishing and one count of false pretenses. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to reduce his habitual offender status and a 1-year jail cap.