An Idaho mother of six may go to jail for six months after holding a yard sale on her front lawn.
Christa Thompson, 33, of Rathdrum, Idaho was issued a misdemeanor summons on Friday, according to the Rathdrum Police Department's Facebook page.
The Idaho stay-at-home order prohibits garage and yard sales. Any violations of the order carry up to a six-month jail sentence or a $1,000 fine.
“The Rathdrum Police Department attempted to educate and warn prior to issuing a citation,” Rathdrum Police Chief Tomi McLean wrote in a Facebook post.
McLean said officers responded to several complaints about the yard sale at Thompson's house.
"Officers were on scene on April 9, 2020 when the owner asked if the yard sale was in violation of the Governor’s orders. The officer educated the homeowner that the yard sale was in violation of the Governor’s stay-at-home-order, and they were admonished not to have the yard sale. A copy of the Governor’s order was given at this time," the police chief wrote.
McLean added: “Rathdrum PD has also received several complaints from the public in regard to the yard sale,” she said. “This was a large non-essential yard sale that filled the entire front yard and spilled into the back yard as well. These yard sale items could be seen from Highway 41.”
Peter Thompson, Crista's husband, responded by saying he and his wife did nothing wrong, and they have plans to fight the citation.
“I talked to my lawyer,” Peter told Coeur d’Alene Press. “He said we’re not doing anything wrong. I don’t consider this a business, you know? We’re just sorting it and getting rid of it as we go.”
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.