Garfield County Attorney Wallace Lee told the 6th Circuit Court that he planned to upgrade misdemeanor theft charges against Jack and Kimberly Zovich to second-degree theft charges, but the couple didn't show up as ordered for the court proceedings.
Bench warrants were issued for their arrests.The Zoviches signed statements admitting theft of articles last fall from Alfred Olthof, a Panguitch Lake businessman, who reported loss of gold, diamond jewelry and a vehicle valued at $150,000.
Olthof was charged with felony drug violations following a search of the Deer Trail Lodge at Panguitch Lake. He later entered a guilty plea to two misdemeanor drug charges through plea negotiations.
Olthof told Judge David L. Mower that he wasn't surprised the Zovich couple didn't appear in court, accusing them of being "proven liars and thieves." He said Jack Zovich was the only witness against him.
The Zoviches signed a diversionary agreement that reduced second-degree felony charges against them to Class A misdemeanors in return for testimony against Olthof. They were allowed to leave the area until their case came up in court.
Garfield County Sheriff Robert Judd said the couple kept in touch with him until about a month ago. Letters that notified them of scheduled court proceedings were returned and were marked "addressee unknown," according to their attorney, James Shumate. Zovich was reportedly living in southern California. The last reported address of Kimberly Zovich was in St. George.