Walla Walla woman pleads guilty, ordered to pay restitution in $40K theft case
By Dan Thesman on Friday, August 7th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — A Walla Walla woman accused of stealing more than $40,000 from a local concrete business changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced in Walla Walla County Superior Court on Thursday.
Christina Reyes Sereno, 34, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree theft and one count of first-degree identity theft. Under a joint plea agreement presented by Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melanie Dane and defense counsel Julie Karl, Judge Patricia Fulton sentenced Reyes Sereno to a first-time offender waiver, imposing 30 days in jail, minus 1 day credit for time service, converted entirely to 232 hours of community service at a rate of 10 hours per month.
The court also corrected the legal spelling of her last name from “Seleo” to “Sereno” on the court documents.
The charges stem from a Sept. 30, 2025, report to the Walla Walla Police Department by AC Concrete regarding extensive unauthorized transactions. Investigators determined Reyes Sereno, who was in a relationship with the business owner, accessed a company debit card to make numerous ATM cash withdrawals and personal purchases. While initially facing 17 separate counts, the charges were consolidated in the amended plea. Karl noted that Reyes Sereno deeply regretted her actions and is the primary caregiver for two children.
In lieu of jail time, Judge Fulton prioritized victim restitution, ordering Reyes Sereno to pay $2,000 per month starting Sept. 15 until the full amount is repaid to the business.
