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.