Alleged 'sweetheart swindler' in court

By Edgar Sanchez -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Friday, June 13, 2003

SACRAMENTO -- A suspected "sweetheart swindler" is being held without bail in the Sacramento County jail after her court appearance Thursday.

The suspect, Belinda Mitchell, 36, made her first appearance in Sacramento Superior Court on Thursday without entering a plea to charges she duped a Citrus Heights man out of more than $300,000 in cash and gifts.

The victim, identified only as Tim, 34, told police that Mitchell obtained the cash and gifts through false pretenses, after pretending to fall in love with him.

Mitchell, who was arrested Tuesday, is regarded as a flight risk by authorities.

At the request of defense attorney Danny D. Brace Jr., a judge set a bail hearing for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Mitchell is a married mother of four children who need her, Brace said.