SHARON, Pa. – A Sharon woman who admitted to running a Facebook-based charity scam has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
According to Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker, 60-year-old Kelly Anderson-Clark pled guilty earlier this month to one count of third-degree felony theft. She was sentenced on Monday, June 23.
Court records show Anderson-Clark was initially charged with three felony counts of theft, but two were dropped following her guilty plea. In Pennsylvania, third-degree felony theft involves stolen property valued between $2,000 and $100,000.
Police say Anderson-Clark created and managed a Facebook group called Any Port in the Storm, which claimed to raise funds for individuals in need. Posts featured stories about people like “Butchie” and “Mary” who were supposedly facing hardship.
However, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in her accounts and questioned the existence of the individuals she claimed to help. Anderson-Clark later admitted she was actually struggling herself—living in a hotel with her children—and used the group to solicit funds without revealing her true identity out of embarrassment.
She remains under probation supervision and is required to repay the stolen funds.
