A Leonardtown woman with multiple prior theft convictions was sentenced to five years in prison, with 18 months to serve actively, for stealing nearly $200 worth of merchandise from a JCPenney store in California, Maryland.
Christina Lee Calero, 47, appeared in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court where Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis imposed the sentence for theft of property valued between $100 and under $1,500 as a subsequent offender. The St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office announced the outcome June 23.
The case stems from an incident on August 19, 2025, when St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a theft in progress at the JCPenney location in California. Upon arrival, deputies observed Calero wearing a pair of new shoes from the store with the price tag ripped off. Jewelry she had not purchased was found inside her purse.
Store employees reported that Calero had selected additional items, concealed them in her purse, and then attempted to leave the checkout area without paying. Deputies recovered merchandise totaling almost $200 from her possession. The investigation was led by Deputy Thomas Dewey and Deputy First Class Travis Wimberly.
Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Crawford prosecuted the case on behalf of St. Mary’s County residents.
State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling said retail theft carries real costs that businesses and their employees should not have to absorb alone. “Holding offenders accountable helps protect the businesses that serve our community and promotes a safer environment for employees and customers alike while making sure those costs are not passed onto the public,” Sterling said.
Because Calero was charged as a subsequent offender, Maryland law permitted enhanced penalties. Under Criminal Law § 7-104, theft in the $100 to under $1,500 range is ordinarily a misdemeanor carrying up to six months for a first conviction and up to one year for a second or subsequent conviction. However, when a defendant has four or more prior theft convictions and the State provides proper notice, the maximum penalty rises to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Calero’s sentence fell within that enhanced range.
Judge Stanalonis, who was named administrative judge for the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court in November 2024 and also presides over the county’s Adult Substance Abuse Recovery Court, handled the case. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019.
Retail theft remains a persistent challenge for retailers across Maryland. The state ranks among the highest nationally in shoplifting incidents relative to the number of businesses, according to analyses of FBI data. Industry reports from the National Retail Federation document sharp increases in both the frequency of incidents and dollar losses in recent years. These losses contribute to higher prices for consumers, reduced store services, and in some cases pressure on retailers’ ability to maintain locations that serve local communities, including military families near Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Even individual cases like Calero’s add to the cumulative burden on stores and law enforcement resources in St. Mary’s County. The swift response by sheriff’s deputies and the subsequent prosecution reflect ongoing efforts to deter theft and maintain safe shopping environments for residents and visitors.
The sentencing underscores the State’s Attorney’s Office commitment to accountability for repeat offenders whose actions affect local businesses and, ultimately, the broader community.
