A local woman who defrauded dog buyers dominated local headlines for much of 2004.In October, the case was put to rest when Monica Binkley was sentenced in Suffolk Circuit Court.

By Allison T. Williams

Convicted puppy scammer Monica Binkley is serving three years and four months in jail for defrauding dog buyers.

Circuit Court Judge Rodham T. Delk sentenced Monica L. Binkley, 35, to 12 years for obtaining money under false pretenses, felony worthless check, child abduction and felony child neglect. He suspended eight years and eight months of her sentence.

Binkley – known to many of her puppy buyers as Monica Arnold – made the national spotlight last December after she fled to Texas with a U-Haul trailer filled with more than 50 puppies, most of which had already been sold. She took her two young children with her.

Binkley has also been convicted for two counts of identity fraud in Texas. She has outstanding fraud-related charges in the Virginia Beach, Hampton and Southampton County courts.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com