YOUNGSTOWN - Victims are expected to crowd a Mahoning County courtroom Thursday afternoon when a Goshen Township dog breeder is sentenced on multiple theft charges for taking payments from customers for puppies they never received.

April Waidman, who turned 41 this month, faces potential prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and restitution to the victims. She pleaded guilty in February to more than 80 charges, including 45 felony theft counts and 26 misdemeanor theft counts.

Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of six months in jail and five years of probation for Waidman. They are also asking the judge to prohibit her from breeding dogs while on probation.

While prosecutors acknowledged that some individuals successfully purchased dogs from her without issue, others were defrauded.

The charges stemmed from multiple criminal and civil lawsuits filed by people across the Mahoning Valley and beyond who accused Waidman of accepting payments for puppies that were never delivered.

A 21 News Watchdog Report on March 7, 2024, highlighted more than a dozen civil cases and the ongoing criminal investigation into Waidman's activities, with complaints originating from Ohio to California.

The total amount allegedly taken from would-be dog owners exceeds $106,000.