A woman who schemed with friends to rip off thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Walmart stores across the Midstate has avoided jail time.The defendant, Keri Wright, was issued a one-year probationary sentence by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley and must make $3,490 restitution, perform 24 hours public service work, and stay out of Walmart for theft. She had served some time waiting for her hearing, therefore she was credited with time already served.Her probationary sentence comes after she confessed to stealing numerous computers from various Walmart stores, including the McMinnville Walmart.“We took five laptop computers from the McMinnville Walmart and took them to a pawn shop where they gave us $200 each,” Wright said in her confession to authorities.Based out of the Algood area, Wright and her partners in crime used their theft scam at several different Walmart stores including those in Algood and Sparta. Wright claimed a friend talked her into becoming part of the theft gang.“My friend said all I had to do was put a computer in the buggy and she would keep the door greeter occupied while I pushed the computer through the door without paying for it,” Wright explained to authorities, noting the process worked so well they continued doing it at many different Walmart stores.Wright said she regrets stealing the items, noting a drug habit pushed her into a life of crime.“I regret I took the computers and know it was wrong,” Wright said in her confession.