NORTHWOOD – A woman who police say faked her own cancer diagnosis to gain gifts, money, and a bedroom makeover has pleaded guilty to a felony while evading many fraud charges, must pay restitution and serve only probation.
After a two month long investigation, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jennifer Hope Mikesell on Friday December 20, 2019 on the charges of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, a class “B” Felony, Theft Second Degree, a Class “D” Felony, Fraudulent Practices, a class “D” Felony, and four counts of Forgery, all class “D” Felony’s. Jennifer Hope Mikesell claimed that she was diagnosed with cancer and was receiving cancer treatments at Mayo Health Systems in Rochester, Minnesota which was found to be untrue. Mikesell had received multiple donations of money, food, and other supplies. Mikesell also received a bedroom makeover from My Happy Haven in October of 2019. The investigation continued and further charges were brought, including six counts of forgery and second-degree theft.
Mikesell initially entered a not-guilty plea and was scheduled for trial.
However, a plea deal was struck. Worth county prosecutors threw out six fraud charges and a charge of second-degree theft. Mikesell pleaded guilty to felony ongoing criminal conduct and was sentenced to a suspended 25-year prison sentence, 5 years of probation and must pay $4,153.22 in restitution.
11 thoughts on “Northwood woman who faked cancer diagnosis then cashed in pleads guilty to felony, must pay restitution”
To anyone who thinks this slob has learned her lesson. Look at her face. Like a pig guzzling slop.
What makes this even worse, she has a record of thft,fraud,and forgery. Most of us would be put under the jail, not had our asses kissed and majority of charges dropped.
In 2015, Mikesell, whose last name was then Nilges, was charged in Mitchell County with ongoing criminal conduct and second-degree theft for her role in stealing $1,400 from a Girl Scout troop bank account. She later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, spending 10 days in jail and paying $625 in fines.
Another court case in Florida in 2003 links Mikesell to identity theft and forgery charges, to which she pleaded no contest, and received three years of probation and was ordered to pay over $2,000 in restitution and fines.
Think I’ll find out who that loser prosecutor was and pass his name around to anyone interested in sharing a good joke. While I’m at it, I think I will look up the definition of incompetence.
Jeff Greve
County Attorney
Thank you. I really appreciate that.
What kind of county prosecutor makes that kind of a plea bargain? I don’t know what Worth County is paying him, but I question whether they are getting their money’s worth.
“I bet she learned her lesson.” Someone had the audacity to post that? What lesson?? 25 year suspended sentence. 5 years probation. And what are the chances of her paying off that restitution? Look at her fat, smug, smiling face. She beat the system. She knows it. And she’s laughing her fat, ugly, ass off at us right now.
She looks so smug and proud of herself in that mugshot. She didn’t even get a scolding! That “punishment” wasn’t even a slap on the wrist!
A sentence like that almost makes fraud worth it. I wonder why the judge gave her such a light sentence. Not saying anything was improper, but such a light sentence, hmmmmm.
White collar crime just might pay in America. We already know how the privileged get treated when they commit assaults. Steal a stick of gum from HyVee and listen for the sirens within minutes.
I bet she learned her lesson.? Here is where she not only Hurt herself family and so many more by I believe people want to be able to help when in need. But not to fake claims ? Damn it sounds like she almost pulled it off.? Hell if your that good move to Hollywood show your acting skills and make millions and be honest not to look over your shoulder all the time. Makes for a stiff neck. Eventually shame and takes from the ones that desperately could use a helping hand