Accused Palatka Walmart shoplifter walks in front of courthouse with 'I stole' sign

The suspended Putnam County school board member who reportedly shoplifted from Walmart was sentenced to walk in front the courthouse with a 'I stole from a local store' sign.

Nikki Cummings was arrested earlier this year after she was accused of grand theft after an incident at the Palatka Walmart.

Photos showed Cummings carrying the sign on Friday in front of the Putnam County Courthouse while holding a beverage.

Cummings was suspended from her post by Florida Governor Rick Scott. She was voted out of office in the August Primary.

ORIGINAL STORY: Cummings was stopped by an employee after she tried to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. Her receipt showed a $32.07, but she had an additional $388.39 in merchandise in her cart, according to a release from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Cummings had used the self-checkout line to scan a portion of her purchases. After an employee sorted through her cart, Cummings left the store with the items she paid for, the release detailed.

Detectives found another incident on May 30 in which Cummings was seen on video surveillance at the same Walmart. She placed several items in a shopping cart -- including three fishing poles -- but she only paid for two.

“Elected officials, no matter what capacity we serve, are expected to hold ourselves to high moral standards,” Sheriff Gator DeLoach said in the release. “We are supposed to exemplify the best qualities in our community and serve in the best interest of those who put their faith and trust in us.

"It is reprehensible an elected official, who is charged with public trust, could blatantly break the law. Cummings behavior is inexcusable. This is not a black eye on her reputation, but rather the reputation of our community.”

She was booked Friday afternoon into the Putnam County Jail on a $2,500 bond and was released a short time later.

Cox Media Group