Woman gets 5-to-10 years for soliciting insurance fire fraud

Two people were sentenced and probation was revoked for two others when Judge David Sanders presided in Morgan County Circuit Court on Thursday, June 28.

Maria Crush, 57, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 5-to-10 years in the state penitentiary after pleading guilty to soliciting insurance fraud, obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy, according to the Morgan County Circuit Clerk's Office.

Crush must also pay $81,828 restitution.

The charges against Crush came out of the arson of a residence in July, 1999.

Edward L. Shives, 77, of Berkeley Springs was given a suspended sentence of 1-to-5 years in prison and placed on five years probation after pleading guilty to the unlawful assault of an elderly woman last year.

Probation revoked

Judge Sanders revoked the probation of Michael L. Day, 23, of Berkeley Springs. Day must now serve 1-to-10 years in prison for embezzlement of tools and supplies from U. S. Silica and for a domestic battery charge.

Probation was also revoked for Jesse R. Cain, 23, of Berkeley Springs. Cain must now serve 1-to-10 years in prison for burglary, petit larceny and forgery.

Mistrial declared

Earlier in the week, a mistrial was declared in a Circuit Court proceeding before the trial really got under way.

To be tried on June 26 was Jason M. Payne, 25, who was charged with breaking into two offices in Berkeley Springs and stealing computer equipment last November.

Judge Gina Groh declared the mistrial due to the remarks of a potential juror that were heard by others in the jury pool.

No new trial date has been set.