Wife of former Pacific Grove police commander pleads guilty to identity theft

The wife of former Pacific Grove Police Commander John Nyunt pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight charges, including forgery and identity theft.

Kristin Nyunt was accused of committing massive identity theft — aided by her husband, who prosecutors said helped her access private records. Her husband also was accused of trying to cover up her crimes by means of threat and fraud.

Kristin Nyunt pleaded guilty in Monterey County Superior Court to two counts of forgery, five counts of identity theft, two counts of computer crimes and one count of first-degree burglary. She’s scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 19.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that she will be sentenced to eight years and four months behind bars — which she will serve locally — and will be eligible for mandatory supervised release after serving three years and eight months of her sentence.

Prosecutors said her husband made repeated efforts to cover up his wife’s fraud and then later threatened her against reporting her crimes.

John Nyunt pleaded guilty in April to multiple felony charges, including one count of being an accessory after the fact to theft and burglary, and one count of being an accomplice to the burglary of a business.

He was sentenced to three years in prison.

He also pleaded to federal charges of extortion and wire fraud in connection with the investigation.

Prosecutors said John Nyunt lied to victims about investigations in which his wife was a prime suspect and directed subordinates to close some investigations. They said he also helped Kristin Nyunt access the online police databases she used to acquire sensitive personal information.