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WILKES-BARRE — An associate of a man accused of starting a deadly fire in Laflin has now pleaded guilty to credit card fraud charges.

Tyla Marie Griffin, 28, pleaded guilty to a felony count of access device fraud and a misdemeanor count of possession of an unlawful device. She entered the plea before Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr.

Several related charges were withdrawn in exchange for the plea.

The Wilkes-Barre woman and Preston Bonnett, 27, also of Wilkes-Barre, were accused of possessing a device used to make fraudulent credit cards and gift cards while they stayed in the Laflin home of Susan Major last summer.

When Major discovered the device, she kicked Griffin and Bonnett out of her home, according to court records.

Both Bonnett and Griffin were charged with two felony fraud counts along with numerous misdemeanors in the credit-card case.

On Oct. 25, Major’s home was intentionally set on fire, police say, killing her three children: Ezekiel Major, 7, Devon Major, 12, and Erik Dupree, 16.

Bonnett became the primary suspect after Dupree identified him by name in a 911 call before his death, records say.

Security footage also shows Bonnett at the scene, according to authorities.

Bonnett is currently facing three counts each of homicide and arson in connection with the boys’ deaths.

Meanwhile, after her guilty plea in the fraud case, Griffin was remanded to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to await sentencing Feb. 26.

Bonnett is also being housed there, with a trial date currently set for Aug. 20. If convicted, he will likely face multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole.

Bonnett
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_web1_Bonnett-2c-Preston-1-1-11-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBonnett

By Patrick Kernan

[email protected]

Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan