WILLMAR -- A 36-year-old Willmar woman made her first appearance Thursday on a theft by swindle charge for accepting money for taking a couple's wedding photographs and then not showing up or taking photos of the ceremony.
Unconditional bail was set at $10,000 for Laura Anissa Johnson by Judge Michael J. Thompson in Kandiyohi County District Court. Conditional release was allowed on her personal recognizance, provided she have no contact with the man who reported the incident. Her next appearance is July 21.
According to the complaint, Willmar police received information on June 10 from a man who had contracted with Johnson to take wedding photos. The wedding was on June 9 and no photographer was present. The man had said he gave Johnson two checks, totaling $642, and that she was doing business as Studio J Photography in Willmar.
The complaint also says there was a similar complaint made against Johnson in July 2007.
When interviewed, Johnson told officers she was no longer in business, but that her business information was still available on the Internet.
ADVERTISEMENT
She told investigators she didn't remember the man, and that the wedding was handled by an assistant. She gave a name for the assistant, but didn't know where the woman lived or how police could get in touch with her.
Investigators showed Johnson a letter relating information that the man had paid in full for photography services, to which she replied that she never got the letter and always uses e-mail.
When shown the checks, she allegedly admitted to endorsing them and confirmed the amounts were consistent with her charging practice.
