Relatives receive probation for giving fake addresses to enroll kids in Price Lab School

WATERLOO – A couple and a grandmother convicted for giving false addresses when enrolling their children at Malcolm Price Lab School were given one-year unsupervised probation Thursday in Black Hawk County District Court.

First Judicial District Judge Richard Stochl gave Todd and Kristi Eastman and Connie Bigelow, a former Price Lab employee who also had a grandchild at the school, a deferred judgment for the misdemeanor charges of tampering with records. The offense will be taken off their records if they successfully complete probation.

The Eastmans, of Waterloo, were each convicted on three counts of tampering with records and Bigelow, of Hudson, was convicted of two counts. The would have faced two years in prison on each charge.

David Dutton, the Waterloo attorney for the Eastmans and Bigelow said it was “certainly the proper sentence because they didn't harm anyone” and only tried to place their children in a better school.

Prosecutors said the parents gave false addresses to deceive others and conceal wrongdoing.

Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown asked for two year suspended sentences for the Eastmans and Bigelow.

Dutton said his clients couldn't appeal the conviction because they gave up their rights by accepting the deferred judgment.

During the January trial, two other parents Cheryl Longnecker and Bigelow's daughter, Angela Bigelow, were acquitted, according to the Waterloo Courier. Trials for other parents, Kerry Burt and Stephanie Hovey are set for April.

Another parent, Angie Gilbert,  pleaded guilty and her sentencing is set for March, according to the Waterloo Courier. The attorney for Flora Dekock said she plans to plead guilty.