Whitefish woman accused of stealing thousands in jewelry

A Whitefish woman is being held in the Flathead County Jail on charges she allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry.

Sheila Dawn Butts, 24, is facing one felony count of theft after law enforcement officials allege she stole about $70,000 worth of jewelry from a Martin City residence in November 2018.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, two Martin City residents reported their home was burglarized. Then, on Nov. 19, Butts allegedly tried to sell a necklace, valued at more than $2,000, belonging to one of the residents, to a jewelry store in Whitefish.

According to the complaint, Butts said she received the necklace from her ex-boyfriend, Elijah Weller. However, he died in October 2016.

When Butts spoke to an officer, she allegedly admitted trying to sell the necklace, that she lied how she got it and she attempted to deceive the jewelry store by using Weller’s name.

Butts faces a 3-year term in the Montana State Prison on the theft charge.

She is also facing a felony bail-jumping charge after she failed to show for her Jan. 10 arraignment.

An arraignment for Butts on the theft and bail-jumping charges is scheduled for Feb. 14, which also happens to be her birthday.

In addition, Butts has a revocation hearing Feb. 28 for a 2016 drug conviction where she was caught with crystal methamphetamine in a vehicle she was driving where an infant child was present.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com