MONROE — A Monroe woman on Monday pleaded not guilty to 40 charges in connection with the theft of items from gravesites in Green County and likely elsewhere.

Her blonde hair pulled back and wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, Carrie Thompson, 46, made her plea in a hearing before Circuit Judge Faun Phillipson. Thompson also asked that the court appoint a public defender for her. 

A 40-count county criminal complaint alleges she stole scores of items from gravesites in Green County, but she also is suspected in similar crimes across Lafayette and Rock Counties. Those counties are likely also investigating, Green County authorities have said.

“I want you to understand you could be subject to the penalties,” read in court, Phillipson said from the bench.

Thompson would allegedly take the items — everything from solar lights to flags — and sell them on Facebook Marketplace; and over social media.

She was initially charged last August with several counts of receiving stolen property, obstructing justice and resisting arrest. But police continued to investigate with an eye on felony charges. However, those could not be brought, as the individual items she took did not rise to more than $2,500 in value, the threshold for felony theft.

Still, police have said they are pleased with the results of what was a lengthy investigation into the matter spearheaded by Kelley and Monroe Detective Sgt. Dan Skatrud.

“From the perspective of our agency, we’re of course happy to bring some closure and relief to the families here...,” Kelley has said.

Police have encouraged anyone who suspects missing items from graves to contact them, as they have property at the station allegedly recovered from searches in the case. And they have urged loved ones to check the graves of the deceased for any tampering.

The theft charges are punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 9 months, or both. Some of the penalties are higher as the victims in some cases were elderly. She was also initially charged with resisting arrest and obstructing justice but it is unclear if she still faces prosecution on those.

Thompson is scheduled to appear in court again on the charges at 10:30 a.m. March 7.