BUCHANAN — A woman who used a counterfeit bill to make a purchase at a convenience store in Buchanan is serving time in jail for the crime.

Tynae Fields, 34, of Benton Harbor, was charged with attempted possession of counterfeit coins. She pleaded guilty to the crime Feb. 27.

Fields was sentenced by Judge Charles LaSata Monday morning in Berrien County Trial court. LaSata ordered her to serve 120 days in jail. She has credit for 87 served.

Fields will also have to pay back restitution of $100 to Phillips 66 in Buchanan. Her total fines and costs were $298.

The crime occurred on Dec. 11, 2018. Fields went into a Philips 66 station in Buchanan and purchased a cigar. She bought the product with a counterfeit $100, receiving $98.95 in change. The Buchanan Police Department was advised of the crime that day.

When it was her turn to speak, Fields said she was sorry for committing the crime.

“I take full responsibility,” she said. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

LaSata cited Fields prior criminal charges.

“You really have a bad record,” LaSata said. “You have four embezzlement convictions.”

When it was her turn to speak, Fields said she was sorry for committing the crime.

“I take full responsibility,” she said. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

LaSata noted, however, that none of her prior charges were for assaultive behavior.

“Although you have a terrible record, it’s not really an assaultive record. I’m not as concerned about you punching people in the nose and stabbing people,” LaSata said.

While he noted that she did not “deserve it,” LaSata said he would shave some time off her jail sentence to make room for criminals of higher priority.

Also sentenced Monday:

Dustin Gumm, 25, of New Carlisle, was charged with attempted uttering and publishing. He pleaded guilty to the crime Jan. 16. LaSata sentenced him to 120 days in jail. He has credit for 88 served.

Jeremiah Rushing, 20, of Berrien Springs, was charged with unlawfully driving a motor vehicle. He pleaded guilty to the charge Feb. 27. LaSata sentenced him to two years of probation in the HYTA program and seven days in jail. He has credit for seven days served.