A Chattanooga woman described as a longtime white collar criminal has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, which was the top of her guidelines.
Lacey Michelle Henson, 44, appeared before Judge Sandy Mattice.
Her attorney, Myrlene Marsa, had asked for home confinement, saying she has gotten off drugs and turned her life around. She said Ms. Henson has been working since 2012 at a local motel, where she handles large amounts of cash as well as sensitive credit card information. Motel officials said they trust her completely.
He said she began using drugs at a young age.
Prosecutor Perry Piper said Ms. Henson has 17 adult convictions on charges ranging from writing bad checks to theft and fraud.
He said she had promised before that the court "won't see me again."
The prosecutor said she had mainly gotten probation in the past.
Ms. Henson said she had served over two years at the workhouse, a year in state prison and 18 months in Georgia.
She said, "For many years, I have been a bad person." But she said she was able to get off drugs and hold down a responsible job.
Ms. Henson will have to repay First Tennessee Bank $12,752.96 on a check scheme.
She was given until Nov. 5 to report to prison.