According to court documents, filed June 17, Shannon Marie Knudsen, 56, of Pine Grove, was charged with one count of access device fraud, a third-degree felony, and one count of theft by unlawful taking, a first-degree misdemeanor.
State police from the Schuylkill Haven barracks reported they received a complaint on June 17 regarding unauthorized Apple Cash transactions. According to an affidavit of probable cause, the victim told investigators that while checking his phone around 7:30 a.m., he discovered payments had been sent to Knudsen through Apple Cash.
Troopers later interviewed the victim at his Pine Grove Township residence. Investigators said the victim told them that Knudsen, whom he described as a paramour, had transferred money from his Apple Cash account to her own account without his permission. Police alleged the transfers were made in increments of $225 between approximately 12:23 a.m. and 6:51 a.m., totaling $1,350.
According to the affidavit, investigators confirmed the transactions by reviewing information on the victim's cellphone. Troopers later spoke with Knudsen, who allegedly admitted she transferred the money to herself and told police she has a gambling addiction. Police said she acknowledged she did not have permission to access or transfer the funds.
Knudsen was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 16.