Mason City woman who stole over $123,000 from Clear Lake business loses appeal of her sentence

DES MOINES — A Mason City woman sentenced to ten years in prison after stealing over $123,000 from a Clear Lake business has lost an appeal of her sentence.

40-year-old Malorie Hallock was arrested in November 2023 after being accused of stealing the money from the tattoo parlor Studio 65 between January and October of 2023. Hallock as part of a plea agreement pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, and according to the terms of the plea deal, both the prosecutors and defense recommended a deferred judgement with a maximum of five years probation and she must pay restitution.

District Judge Gregg Rosenbladt declined to follow the recommendation and sentenced her to ten years in prison on the Class C felony charge. Hallock appealed, claiming Rosenbladt abused his discretion by not following the joint recommendation for sentencing.

The Iowa Court of Appeals in a ruling issued on Wednesday stated that Rosenbladt did not abuse discretion when he did not adopt the sentencing recommendation.