Fluvanna woman gets bench trial in theft ring case

The wife of a man who police said might have been involved in a Central Virginia property theft ring will face a bench trial Oct. 31.

Patricia Lynne Shifflett, 44, was indicted in June on charges of giving a firearm to a convicted felon, receiving stolen property and conspiracy with her husband, Mark Wayne Shifflett, to receive stolen property. Shifflett appeared Thursday in Fluvanna County Circuit Court to be arraigned on the charges.

Mark Shifflett and Ronald Lee Morris were charged earlier this year with drug and firearm charges prior to a search at the Shiffletts’ home. According to a search warrant, police found more than 200 items in the home. Authorities previously said they thought those items were taken during about 50 burglaries in eight counties in Central Virginia.

The Shiffletts also face credit card charges in an unrelated case in Albemarle County General District Court. Albemarle police Lt. Greg Jenkins said the couple and two other people stole a credit card and charged $38,000, buying cars and gift cards. Mark Shifflett had worked for the victim, Jenkins said.