By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A former fast-food worker has been sentenced to four months in the county jail for stealing a wallet from a customer and using force to prevent her from leaving a Yukon-area eatery.
Meilisha Marlisha Christian, 19, was convicted Sept. 28 after pleading guilty to kidnapping and grand larceny in Canadian County District Court.
The felony charges stemmed from a June 2021 incident at Burger King, 300 S Mustang Road. The restaurant has a Yukon address but is inside Oklahoma City limits.
Christian had seized and confined the victim at Christian’s place of employment “with the intent to confine her there against her will for a period of time and using force to prevent (the victim’s) attempt to leave that place,” according to the charging document.
Christian took the Yukon victim’s wallet, and the property inside, without the victim’s knowledge.
Christian entered her guilty plea Sept. 28 at a preliminary hearing before Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar. She appeared with attorney Brenda Doroteo.
Pursuant to a plea agreement with prosecutors, the defendant received a seven-year suspended sentence except for four months to serve in the Canadian County Jail starting Oct. 5.
She had faced not more than 20 years for kidnapping and up to one year and/or a $100 fine for grand larceny.
Judge Strubhar ordered Christian to be supervised by the state Department of Corrections while on probation, after her release from jail.
She also was ordered to pay restitution, $700 in victim’s compensation assessments, a $200 fine, and court costs.
VERBAL ARGUMENT TURNS PHYSICAL
Oklahoma City police officer Ryan Howard responded about 8:40 p.m. June 10, 2021, to the local Burger King restaurant on a reported disturbance.
Upon arrival, the officer learned Christian – a Burger King employee – “had gotten into a verbal argument with (the victim) and threw a cup full of soda at her and struck her,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
During the altercation, the defendant “kicked, punched with closed fists and stomped” on the victim causing “large swollen bumps on her face and head.” The victim’s right eye was swollen shut and she had a fresh abrasion on her forehead.
The female victim had to be taken to OU Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.
Christian was initially charged Oct. 12, 2021, in Canadian County District Court with first-degree robbery and assault and battery.
The charges were amended Feb. 10, 2022, to kidnapping and grand larceny.
