Casino Machete Robber Gets 12 Year Sentence

A 26 year-old mother of three who attempted to rob two casinos armed with a machete has now received a twelve and a half year prison sentence from a Pennington County, South Dakota court.
Last July, Julia Peters was high on methamphetamines when she robbed the Market Square Casino for around $600 before trying to do the same at Happy Jacks Casino a few days later. On that occasion the cashier refused to hand over any cash and so Julia Peters left empty-handed, later dying her hair to elude capture.
Appearing in court, Julia Peters said she needed the money for her family and rent but Happy Jacks employee Dora Gillis, who was there during the attempted robbery, said to her would be assailant:
“I feel really sorry for your children..I told you ‘no’ twice..But, you were high.”
As well as these incidents, Peters was also facing a list of other charges including for another robbery, an attempted robbery and four burglaries. Peters was subsequently facing up to 57 years in prison but according to a plea agreement accepted guilt for one count of first-degree robbery in return for the twelve and a half year sentence.
That sentence was the most the plea agreement allowed, with Pennington County State’s 7th Circuit Judge Mary Thorstenson noting the fact that Peters had altered her story several times. In addition, Peters, who has already spent 247 days behind bars, was ordered to get treatment for methamphetamine addiction and to repay the $607 she stole. Julia Peters will also be required to serve at least half her sentence meaning she will be eligible for parole in six years from now.