Psychic accused of attempting to bilk Irwin woman out of $3,300

An area psychic who was turned down to perform a $3,800 “spiritual cleansing” service by a Westmoreland County woman last month was accused by Irwin police of attempting to use her customer’s identity to purchase $3,300 in furniture.

Alexis Candy Mitchell, 25, of Monroeville, who does business as Psychic Novena Saint, was arraigned before North Huntingdon District Judge Wayne Gongaware on charges of identity theft, criminal attempt, forgery and fortune telling and released on $10,000 unsecured bond pending a May 29 preliminary hearing.

Borough officer Michael Thomas said the victim, who is from Irwin, reported April 10 she had learned Psychic Novena Saint had used her identity to attempt to get financing for a $3,300 furniture purchase from G & E Interiors in Wilkinsburg. Thomas said the sale was not completed.

Thomas reported in court documents the victim discovered Psychic Novena Saint on the internet in March “after getting advice from a friend.”

“On March 28, (the victim) met with Psychic Novena and paid $100 for a crystal ball reading. (The victim) was told that an acquaintance had put evil casts on her and that she needed a $500 spiritual kit, which she purchased,” Thomas wrote.

According to court documents, Thomas said the victim then paid $125 for a cleansing healing ritual, which included candles.

“On April 5, the victim again saw Mitchell who advised her she needed all her possessions cleansed of all evil spirits,” Thomas wrote.

The victim told Thomas that Mitchell advised her the cost would be $3,800 for the special cleansing. The victim reported she told Mitchell she could not afford it.

“Psychic Novena convinced her to apply for the financing through her church, and completed an application for financing on Psychic Novena’s cellphone,” Thomas said in court documents. According to Thomas, the victim subsequently learned Psychic Novena had used the credit information to try to purchase the furniture. When she confronted Psychic Novena, the victim told police, Mitchell offered to help her make the monthly payments.

When police called G & E, Thomas said he was told Mitchell’s furniture purchase was never processed because “an issue arose over the financing.”

Police discovered Mitchell’s address on Tillbrook Road in Monroeville through the furniture order, Thomas said.

When he contacted Mitchell, Thomas said she claimed she did nothing wrong because the victim had agreed to the arrangement and the financing was never used.

Calls to Mitchell seeking comment were not immediately returned.

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