According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 42-year-old Heidi Louise Joiner, of Brookville, in Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office on September 27.
PSP Punxsutawney responded to Baha Lane, in Rose Township, Jefferson County, on September 3 for a report of a non-authorized transaction totaling $622.80, according to the complaint.
Upon arrival, troopers spoke with the victim who related that his biological mother, Heidi Joiner, used his credit/debit card to rent a cabin in Cook Forest. The victim related he never gave her the card information or authorized the purchase, the complaint states.
Police were informed that this has happened in the past, and he had to cancel the cards. The victim stated the card has been canceled, but the bank is unable to cancel the transaction, according to the complaint.
Police interviewed Joiner later the same day who insisted that her son told her to book the cabin, and they were all going to stay there for the weekend. She explained she has “a bunch of people coming up and chipping in.” She also stated that she would repay her son after the guests paid her, the complaint indicates.
Joiner told authorities that (her son) sent a text message with his license and credit card information, but she was unable to provide any messages or text-based communications to verify her statement, according to the complaint.
Joiner related she deletes all of her messages after two days, and that she would meet authorities at PSP Punxsutawney on September 6 to provide a written statement and further discuss the incident, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Joiner did not follow up with police on September 6, and she was unable to be contacted.
Police then interviewed the employee who met with Joiner at at the Cook Forest cabin rental business, which is a restaurant that also serves as a booking facility for cabin rentals.
According to police, Joiner related to the employee that she was asked by her son to book the cabin, but she did not have the card. However, she could provide the card numbers and information needed.
The employee related she was hesitant to complete the transaction, but was reassured by Joiner that she had permission to do so, the complaint notes.
Joiner was charged with the following offense:
– Access Device Used To Obt or Att Obt Prop/Service, Felony 3
She faces a preliminary hearing on November 17, at 10:15 a.m., with Judge Bazylak presiding.