A Lehighton woman was found guilty of forgery counts during a criminal trial held this week in Carbon County court.

Sherry Ann Vargson, 47, was found guilty of four criminal counts each of forgery - unauthorized writing and tampering with records by a jury of nine men and three women.

Franklin Township police Chief Jason M. Doll charged her in connection with two incidents, one occurring in October 2016 and the second in July 2018.

According to police, the township sent a notice to Vargson that she owed a bill for water services and that she had not responded to notices for payment and that her water would be shut off.

Vargson then gave the township secretary a letter from Holly B. Marakovits, CNP, stated that because of her medical condition shutting off her water would cause her harm.

In July 2018 a similar letter was sent to Vargson concerning her overdue water service bill and the notice that her service would be cut off. Again, Vargson sent a letter with Marakovits’ signature on it stating shutting off her water service would be harmful.

The township secretary called the number on the letter to speak with Marakovits to confirm what was in the letter. The LVPG Family Medicine office at Laurys Station, where the letter was supposed to have been sent, denied sending such a letter.

Doll later spoke with Marakovits and she said Vargson did request such a letter but that she told the woman she would not write it and denied her request. Marakovits said both letters, the one in October 2016 and the second in July 2018, were forgeries.

Marakovits, Doll and the secretary testified at the trial.

Assistant District Attorney Brian B. Gazo prosecuted the case. Vargson was represented by Attorney Eric Wiltrout, of the public defender’s office.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II deferred sentencing to a later date.