'Gypsy Sisters' Star Sentenced in Coupon Scam

"Gypsy Sisters" star Mellie Stanley avoided serious prison time after striking a plea deal for her role in what cops say was a massive coupon scam out of Kentucky.

Andrea Williams, the prosecutor for the Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney, tells TMZ ... the judge gave Mellie 5 years probation during Friday's sentencing hearing, and if she doesn't keep her nose clean, she could be heading to the slammer.

TMZ broke the story ... Mellie pled guilty earlier this year to 2 felonies -- theft by deception and criminal possession of a forged instrument -- and the charges stemmed from a huge coupon scam authorities say she executed with her husband, including swindling thousands of dollars in merchandise from Toys R Us and Babies R Us.

According to the terms of her probation ... Mellie must meet with her probation officer, she can't own a firearm, she has to stay away from drugs and alcohol, she'll be tested for substance abuse, and she's got to cough up the dough for all the items she stole with bogus coupons -- a cool $18,075.

Mellie's not totally in the clear ... if she violates any part of her probation, a judge will decide between sentencing Mellie to 6 years in prison or tacking on conditions to her probation.

According to the court clerk, Mellie must also get her GED as terms of her probation.

'Gypsy Sisters' Star Busted Again for Coupon Scam ... Part of Theft Ring, Cops Say

"Gypsy Sisters" star Mellie Stanley got caught up in another alleged coupon scam -- only this time it appears to have crossed state lines ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Stanley was arrested Monday night in Indiana based on warrants for her arrest out of Tennessee. She was wanted on seven counts of felony criminal simulation -- basically, cop speak for creating fraudulent coupons, we're told.

Sources say police in Clarksville, TN were alerted to a coupon scam Mellie was allegedly involved in back in November. We're told she tried making a $2,412 purchase at a Toy "R" Us there, but fled suddenly. Sources tell us she had 7 coupons that were somehow made to seem redeemable for $300 each. The cashier was suspicious and called cops.

Our police sources tell us the TN authorities were already on Mellie's tail for similar crimes in at least 4 other states. We're told police believe Mellie is part of an organized theft ring that makes counterfeit coupons, which they then use to buy gift cards to make illegal purchases at a variety of stores.

We broke the story ... she was arrested in Kentucky for a very similar alleged incident back in December ... allegedly trying to make off with $18k worth of Toys "R" Us gear.

Mellie is currently being held on a $350,000 bond in an Indiana jail.

'Gypsy Sisters' Star Arrested for Coupon Scam ... $18k Worth o' Toys!!!!

1:10 PM PT -- Law enforcement tells us Mellie allegedly pulled off a massive coupon scam at Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us. Authorities say Mellie and her husband used counterfeit coupons to purchase $18,000 worth of gear at both stores.

Both of them were hit with the same charges and are being held on $13,000 bail.

"Gypsy Sisters" star Mellie Stanley revived her old role as the family's black sheep ... after running afoul of the law again.

Mellie was arrested Thursday morning in Lexington, Kentucky on a warrant. She was booked for theft by deception, criminal possession of forged instrument and unlawful access to a computer ... this according to docs obtained by TMZ.

It's unclear exactly what Mellie was doing, but we're told she allegedly committed the crime a couple weeks ago when the warrant was issued. She'll be arraigned later today.

It's not her first time running into trouble. In 2014 she and her sister were reportedly busted for running a coupon scam at a Target in North Carolina. Mellie's then-husband was also arrested back in 2015 after a heated argument between the couple sadly led to Mellie's puppy being killed.

'Gypsy Sisters' Star Arrested for Swindling Target

Joann Wells -- one of the stars of TLC's, "Gypsy Sisters," -- was busted in North Carolina after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a Target.

Officials from the Cary PD in North Carolina tell TMZ ... Wells befriended two cashiers at a Target last December to aid in her fraud. We're told the cashiers ran fake bar codes on merchandise, forced expired coupons, and cashed gift cards -- and Wells would share the profits.

We're told the scheme took place over a 10 day period ... and racked up a total of $14,700.

A warrant was issued for her arrest, but Wells turned herself in last week and was charged with obtaining property under false pretense, and felony conspiracy.

She was later released after posting bail. Both cashiers were also arrested.

TLC had no comment.

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