Undercover agents bust metro psychic

KFOR NBC 4 News, Oklahoma/August 26, 2016

By Adam Snider

Oklahoma City -- To her clients she's known as 'Mrs. Maple', but to the State, she's Sonia Marks, alleged serial offender.

"We believe that there`s a string of victims, a lot we haven`t heard from," said MSgt. Gary Knight, with Oklahoma City Police.

You may remember Marks from a few years ago. She was arrested in OKC for warrants out of Ohio.

Marks was accused of swindling victims out of nearly one million dollars, found guilty of theft, and ordered to pay $187,000 in restitution.

She's worked in a psychic shop off SW 33rd for years, reportedly using her craft for cash.

Turns out, under state law, fortune telling for profit is an Oklahoma misdemeanor.

The statute reads in part 'It shall be unlawful for any person, or persons, pretending or professing to tell fortune,' - 'to make any charges,' - 'or to receive any gift of donation.'

OKCPD says Marks, was up to her old tricks.

"The OKCPD vice unit began an investigation," said Knight. "They actually were sending some of their own officers in there."

Undercover agents met with Mrs. Maples for weeks. For fees ranging between $60-$125, officers were told they 'would be having twins, 'needed their aura cleansed, and 'would meet a wonderful person soon'.

The fortunes though hinged on future payments, according to police.