Christian Convicted for Theft of $130,000

A Greencastle woman convicted of stealing more than $130,000 from a former employer was given a 2 ½-year sentence in Putnam County Circuit Court on Thursday, but will likely never spend a day in jail.

Tamera S. Wade, 45, was ordered by special Judge Thomas K. Milligan of Montgomery County to spend 18 months of her sentence as a direct commitment to Putnam County Community Corrections -- house arrest -- and the rest on probation.

Perhaps the most compelling testimony during the hearing Thursday came from Wade's son Tyler, 19, a Wabash College freshman.

"She's been a great mom," he said, making eye contact with his mother from the witness stand. "Without a strong household, I don't think the successes I've obtained would have been possible."

Also speaking on Wade's behalf was Mark Miller, the pastor at Greencastle Christian Church, where Wade and her family worship. Miller said Tyler Wade had come to speak to him after his mother's arrest.