WACO (November 4, 2009)—Trista Joy Lathern, 24, who claimed she was undergoing chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but took thousands of dollars raised at a benefit in August at a Waco-area club and spent it on breast augmentation surgery, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant charging theft by deception over $1,500, but under $20,000.
Lathern, who lives in the Robinson area, didn’t have cancer, but went so far as to shave her head in order to look as if she did, according to the affidavit submitted for the arrest warrant.
The Aug. 16 benefit at Hog Creek Ice House outside of Waco with performances by four bands, a raffle, a silent auction and a bake sale, raised about $10,000 for Lathern, the affidavit said.
Investigators have identified at least two-dozen individuals and businesses that donated money or merchandise for the benefit and estimate that hundreds of people probably attended, including two sheriff’s deputies, one of whom won a pickup truck bed liner in a raffle.
They’re asking residents who donated to or attended the benefit to call the sheriff’s office.
Lathern was being booked into the McLennan County Jail Wednesday afternoon.
Her bond was set at $7,500.
The McLennan County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after an attorney who represents a local plastic surgeon told a detective that Lathern had consulted with the doctor about breast augmentation, but never mentioned her breast cancer, according to the affidavit.
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/69160147.html
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