A Lancaster city woman was convicted of stealing $83.23 worth of items from That Fish Place on Tuesday in Lancaster County Court.

Maritza Gonzalez, 50 of the 2100 block of Old Philadelphia Pike, was found guilty by the jury of retail theft and receiving stolen property for an incident occurring in February of 2020.

The jury returned with its verdict around 1 p.m. on Tuesday after about two hours of deliberations in a trial heard by Judge Jeffery Wright.

Shortly after the verdict was read in court, Gonzalez got out of her chair and starting yelling obscenities at the jury and attempted to strike her own attorney before deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office subdued her.

Judge Wright cleared the courtroom and Gonzalez was taken out of the back in order to calm down before sentencing was imposed.

Once Gonzalez calmed down after approximately an hour, the judge asked whether Gonzalez had an apology for her attorney.  Gonzalez apologized to her attorney and for her actions before sentence was imposed.

In light of the sentencing guidelines and Gonzalez’ offensive behavior in the courtroom after the verdict was rendered, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Rall requested that a period of incarceration be imposed. The sentencing guidelines allowed for restorative sanctions, or probation, and up to nine months incarceration.  

Instead, Judge Wright sentenced Gonzalez to three years of probation that can terminate in 18 months if all fines, costs, and restitution is paid, and she has no probation violations.

On February 11, 2020, East Hempfield Township Police Department responded to That Fish Place for a retail theft that occurred around 9:48 a.m. Police contacted the president of the company that advised two suspects entered the store and aided each other in concealing and stealing betta fish food, flea and tick drops, dog pajamas, a dog sweater and dog boots. East Hempfield Township Police Officer John Mulligan filed charges.

“Our office commends jurors, especially in this instance, as they provide an invaluable civic duty in upholding our justice system”, said District Attorney Heather Adams.  “Outbursts such as this – directed specifically at jurors, counsel or anyone – are despicable and have no place in our courtrooms,” Adams added.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.