Woman released from jail for rehab

Published 12:47 pm Saturday, November 20, 2010

The rural Albert Lea woman accused of breaking into multiple homes in the area while searching for prescription drugs has been released from the Freeborn County jail to attend a state-funded rehabilitation program in Anoka.

Lynn Marie Spicer, 47, will be required to immediately return to the jail once the Community Addiction Recovery Enterprises program is completed, which should be no more than 45 days, Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said Thursday.

Lynn Spicer

The release was approved last week during a Freeborn County District Court appearance with Spicer and her public defender Kevin Riha. Nelson said Spicer was transported to the facility a few days later by her father, at the approval of a judge.

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Spicer faces 10 counts of second-degree burglary for her alleged crimes, which took place in both Albert Lea and various areas in rural Freeborn County in September and October. For each count, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Nelson said the Anoka facility Spicer was transported to provides a dual program for people who may have both chemical dependency and mental health issues.

He said Spicer’s bail and bond have not changed, except that she is now allowed to attend the program. Her bail had previously been set at $20,000 without conditions and $10,000 with conditions for each of the 10 charges.

When the treatment program is completed, Spicer must immediately be returned to custody, he added. If she is discharged for any reason other than the completion of the program, she must be returned to the jail immediately.

Spicer’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2011; however, Nelson said this could get moved up depending on Spicer’s return from the program.