PERQUIMANS COUNTY, Va. - The person of interest in the disappearance of Karen Rae Bosta pleaded guilty in Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.
Thomas Edward White, Sr., 63, admitted to using a Discover credit card Bosta used the day after she was last seen on May 30, 2015.
The judge gave him the maximum sentencing guidelines of six weekends in jail, including 36 months of probation and parole.
White, Sr. also has to pay $600 in restitution fees and is prohibited from making contact with Bosta's family.
Arlene Murin, Bosta's mother, gave an emotional victim's impact statement in front of the judge, admitting that the investigation has taken a toll on her and has gotten her very sick.
"It was very freeing to be able to put it in words and let everybody know what it's done to Karen's family," she said. "It ripped us apart."
Bosta was using Murin's Discover card to buy cigarettes at a Food Lion Store in Edenton, North Carolina, on May 30, 2015.
Investigators said surveillance video caught White, Sr. swiping the card at a gas pump the next day.
He pleaded guilty to obtaining property by false pretense and stood in silence with his head down.
The judge dropped the second charge of attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
However, Murin said they will never stop thinking about what happened to Bosta.
"Until I know where my daughter is and where I can find her so I can bring her home, then I'll feel better," Murin added.
The judge said White, Sr. will be arrested again and will have to pay a $10,000 cash bond if he violates any part of his sentencing.
Related:
Perquimans County mother seeks justice after daughter's disappearance nearly three years ago
Police have person of interest in 2015 cold case of missing Perquimans woman
North Carolina Governor Cooper offers reward for 2015 Perquimans County cold case
