LAKEPORT, Calif. – A local man was sentenced to three years in state prison on Monday for stealing hundreds of dollars from his brother-in-law and replacing the money with counterfeit bills.

Robert Lawrence Deppe, 57, of Upper Lake was sentenced in the case by Judge Andrew Blum on Monday morning.

Deppe's attorney, J. David Markham, did not return a call seeking comment.

“We gave him a pretty big break,” Deputy District Attorney John Langan said of Deppe.

Langan said Deppe could have faced life in prison because he was a three strikes candidate, with two previous felony first-degree burglary convictions that occurred about 20 years ago.

The report on the case explained that Deppe turned himself in at the Lake County Jail on Feb. 9 after an investigation began into allegations that he took money from his brother-in-law – who lived with Deppe and his wife, Lisa – as well as taking money from Lisa Deppe herself.

Robert Deppe was alleged to have taken from his brother-in-law eight $100 bills and five $20 bills and replaced them with fake bills. He also allegedly took two $100 bills from his wife's purse, also putting fake bills in their place, according to the initial sheriff's report.

The District Attorney's Office later charged Deppe with forgery and felony petty theft, as Lake County News has reported.

It was about that same time that Deppe, the former post commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015, was accused of having falsified a Vietnam service record, leading to him leaving the post.

Langan said the fact that Deppe used counterfeit bills to cover the thefts showed premeditation.

Rather than facing a potential life sentence, Deppe received the three-year prison sentence, said Langan.

“We gave him a tremendous break,” Langan said.

He noted, “This was kind of an unusual offer on my part.”

Langan said Deppe made a complete confession to the thefts.

Lisa Deppe – who paid her brother back the stolen money – asked for leniency, and it was Langan's understanding that she also was speaking for her brother-in-law, but found out later that the brother-in-law wasn't asking for Robert Deppe to be given a break.

“It was my mistake,” said Langan.

He said he invited Deppe's brother-in-law to come and make a statement to the court and lodge a complaint about the process if he had one. However, when the man addressed the court Monday, he said he was fine with the outcome. He also stated that he loved his sister but was tired of dealing with Deppe.

“I guess it's an ongoing problem,” said Langan.

Because of the previous convictions Judge Blum turned down probation, said Langan.

Deppe was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail, said Langan. From there he will be transported to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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