FREEHOLD – A Middlesex County woman pleaded guilty Monday morning to stealing more than $75,000 over a 17-month period from the ophthalmology office where she was employed, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Sheryl Ward, 35, of South Amboy, pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree Theft before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Ellen Torregrossa-O’Connor. In pleading guilty, Ward admitted that between August 2016 and January 2018, she processed the fraudulent returns of more than $75,000 of merchandise to her ophthalmologist employer, by creating falsified credit card returns that were directly deposited into her personal bank account. Ward worked in the contact lens department.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the State will recommend a sentence of 5 years in prison when she returns for sentencing on July 26, 2019.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen.

Ward is represented by Antonio Toto, Esq., of South River.

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