Jail for woman who threatened to rub open sores on burglary victim's daughter

A judge last week handed down a three-year prison sentence to a woman who broke into her neighbour’s home back on April 28, 2011, and threatened to rub open sores she said were contagious on the neighbour’s daughter. Honesty J. Keener, 37, formerly of Newfield, New Jersey, told the victim she’d rub the sores on the adult daughter unless she received money.

She was convicted of burglary, harassment and attempted theft in connection with the incident. Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. also considered Keener’s seven previous criminal convictions since 1998 in sentencing her. Those convictions included four for prostitution. Keener’s also been convicted of 14 disorderly persons offences, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.



Defence attorney Ron Appleby asked for leniency for his client, according to Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld, saying she’d struggled with drug addiction that “took a toll on her.” Appleby also pointed out Keener had several children. But Assistant County Prosecutor Dana Anton argued that Keener didn’t have custody of the children.

Anton sought the maximum five-year prison term, citing several probation violations along with Keener’s criminal record. Marshall decided a prison stay was required but added that three years would be “a sufficient sentence” if Keener responds to a drug abuse evaluation he ordered. The judge also sentenced her to time served on the charges of harassment and attempted theft.