Authorities: Woman Trades Stolen Coins for Cash

A Dunedin woman is charged with dealing in stolen collectible coins worth thousands to local gold and coin shops, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's arrest records.

Laura Jane Righton-Turner, 39, reportedly took 280 collectible coins, valued at roughly $8,400, from a family member and admitted selling them for cash between Sept. 28 and Oct. 17.

Righton-Turner sold 110 stolen U.S. Silver Eagle Dollars to Dale's Coins & Jewelry over the course of four transactions between Sept. 28 to Oct. 11. She received a total of $3,773.50 for those coins.

She also sold at least 46 of the coins to The Gold Spot, Inc., in Dunedin over the course of two transactions. She sold six of the silver dollars on Sept. 28 for $210, and returned with 40 more silver dollars on Oct. 1, for which she received $1,320.

Righton-Turner, who has alleged alcohol dependency issues, was intoxicated from drinking several small bottles of whiskey when she was charged the morning of Oct. 17, according to arrest records. Breathalyzer results indicate she had a blood-alcohol level of .197. The legal limit is .08. 

Righton-Turner is charged with five felonies, including grand theft, three counts of dealing in stolen property and violating her two-year probation.

She is being held on $35,000 bond for theft and stolen property charges, but she is not able to be released for violating her probation. She is currently awaiting trial at Pinellas County Jail.