A Carbon County woman was placed on probation on Tuesday on forgery and tampering with records charges.

Sherry Ann Vargson, 48, of Lehighton, was placed on probation for two years on two counts of forgery and tampering with records. In August 2019, she was convicted of the charges by a jury panel.

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.

Defense attorney Eric Wiltrout, of the public defender’s office, said his client has many health issues in requesting a probationary sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Brian B. Gazo, who prosecuted the case, said it was troubling because the defendant still has not taken responsibility for her actions, despite the jury’s verdict.

Nanovic also ordered Vargson to supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.