Cincinnati mother sentenced to jail for harassment after real estate deal

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A Cincinnati mother has been sentenced to jail time for harassing another homeowner with foul-mouthed emails in a drawn-out feud over a failed real estate deal.

On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Jacqueline ‘Crysta’ Pleatman to 180 days behind bars but subsequently suspended three-quarters of the jail term, requiring the married mother-of-three to spend only 40 days in lockup.

In November, Pleatman, a self-described software developer, was convicted of one count of telecommunications harassment, a misdemeanor, stemming from her email exchanges with Grant Troja.

Mom jailed: Jacqueline ‘Crysta’ Pleatman, center, pictured in court last year, was sentenced on Tuesday to jail time in a real estate deal gone bad 

Mom jailed: Jacqueline ‘Crysta’ Pleatman, center, pictured in court last year, was sentenced on Tuesday to jail time in a real estate deal gone bad 

The mother-of-three was convicted in November of one count of telecommunications harassment She sent Grant Troja (pictured) rude emails and texts calling him a 'real SOB'

Harsh words: The mother-of-three (left) was convicted in November of one count of telecommunications harassment for sending Grant Troja (right) rude emails and texts calling him a 'real SOB' 

Show of contrition: When given a chance to speak, a tearful Pleatman, pictured here in court earlier, apologized to Troja and said she was a different person now 

Show of contrition: When given a chance to speak, a tearful Pleatman, pictured here in court earlier, apologized to Troja and said she was a different person now 

The dispute between Pleatman and Troja started in 2013 when the woman and her husband backed out of a deal to purchase Troja’s $1.2million home in upscale Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill when they found out a neighbor had been convicted of attempted murder.

Troja, who works in the restaurant industry, filed a lawsuit against the couple claiming breach of contract.

As the civil case was winding its way through the court system, Troja accused Pleatman of harassing him, leading prosecutors to file criminal charges against her.

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Court documents show Troja told police she peppered him with text messages and emails, one of which contained the phrases, ‘you’re a real SOB,’ ‘you’re a despicable specimen of mankind’ and ‘grow up and get some balls,' reported Cincinnati.com. 

In another missive to Troja that was read aloud during Pleatman’s trial she wrote: 'You can either end this mess or I will take you down in every legal way possible. This is not a threat, it is a fact. Regards, Christi.'

Prosecutors also argued that the woman tried to ruin her nemesis' career by contacting his employer, according to reporting by WCPO. 

During her sentencing Tuesday, Pleatman sobbed as she apologized for her actions, vowed to 'follow the rules' and insisted to the court that she was a changed person, having spent nine days in jail since the outset of the twisted case.

Ugly dispute: The feud between Pleatman and Troja started in 2013 when the woman and her husband backed out of a deal to purchase Troja’s $1.2million home after learning of his neighbor's criminal past 

Ugly dispute: The feud between Pleatman and Troja started in 2013 when the woman and her husband backed out of a deal to purchase Troja’s $1.2million home after learning of his neighbor's criminal past 

A prosecutor described Pleatman as a 'bully' with a history of harassment. She recounted how the married mother-of-three once sent the wife of her lover a letter describing their sexual exploits

Not buying her act: A prosecutor described Pleatman as a 'bully' with a history of harassment. She recounted how the married mother-of-three once sent the wife of her lover a letter describing their sexual exploits

Her defense lawyer argued that the brief period of incarceration left an indelible mark on his client, who was accustomed to living in a mansion. 

'She’s a broken woman,' attorney Clyde Bennett said. 'Her spirit has changed.' 

As part of the penalty phase, the blonde mother-of-three will have to perform community service and pay a $250 fine. Her time in jail will be followed by two years of probation.

When given a chance to speak, the defendant apologized to Grant Troja for causing him 'stress' and ‘inconvenient,’ and promised to never break the law again.

Prosecutor Gwen Bender questioned the sincerity of Pleatman’s repentance, describing her as a 'bully' with a history of telecommunications harassment.

Bender recounted how one time Pleatman, who is married, sent a lewd letter to the wife of a man with whom she had an extramarital affair, describing to her rival in detail their sexual exploits.

She also said Pleatman contacted her ex-lover's employer and falsely accused him of raping her.

Not out of the woods: Pleatman (left) still has two criminal cases and a civil jury trial pending against her 

Not out of the woods: Pleatman (left) still has two criminal cases and a civil jury trial pending against her 

The prosecutor said that in her jailhouse phone conversations, Pleatman talked about putting on a tearful display in court and expressed concern about whether she would look presentable without makeup for the cameras. 

The judge granted Pleatman's request to allow her to stay out of jail while her lawyers appeal the ruling.

She still has two additional criminal cases pending against her stemming from related charges of obstructing official business and criminal damaging.

The civil real estate lawsuit regarding the botched home sale is set to go to trial Monday.

 

 

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