Shoplifter at odds with Walmart due in court Aug. 27

A Hopatcong woman who has been found guilty two times in the past year of shoplifting at Walmarts in Morris County -- even after she agreed to stay out of the stores -- is appealing at least one of the convictions in Superior Court next month.

Johanna Cassimore, who also uses the name JoAnn Berry, was the subject of national headlines recently when Mount Olive Municipal Court Judge Brian Levine on July 13 ordered her to stay out of all Walmart stores, everywhere.

An employee of Mount Olive Municipal Court on Wednesday said the judge has clarified, or amended his decision, to say that Cassimore cannot enter the Walmart in Mount Olive. The ruling is part of the sentence Levine imposed on Cassimore on July 13 after she was found guilty of stealing $78 worth of vitamins from the store on Dec. 6, 2014.

But more than a year ago, Cassimore, 64, signed an agreement on June 13, 2014, to never enter any Walmart store anywhere after she was caught that day stealing from the Roxbury Walmart. The agreement, filed in Superior Court, Morristown, states that Cassimore understands she could be charged with trespassing if she violates the agreement.

Cassimore was convicted this past March 19 of shoplifting vitamins, a watch and dog treats at Roxbury Walmart, and sentenced to 20 days of community service and ordered to pay $1,083 in fines and penalties.

She filed an appeal in Superior Court of the conviction in April. Because she is on disability -- usually using a motorized scooter when she shops -- and has a small income, she has routinely been granted a public defender for both the municipal court appearances and appeals.

Cassimore has not immediately responded to a message left at her home. Superior Court Judge William McGovern in Morristown is slated to hear her appeal of the Roxbury shoplifting conviction on Aug. 27.

According to documents, Cassimore wrote to Superior Court: “I cannot afford the fines and know I was not treated fairly in court. I am a disabled senior citizen. I would not survive jail.”

A transcript of the Roxbury Municipal Court hearing states that a loss prevention officer of the Roxbury Walmart observed Cassimore in the store in a motorized scooter. Cassimore allegedly was observed concealing vitamins in her purse, putting a Casio watch in a plastic sandwich bag, and hiding dog treats in her scooter.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.