By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — A former vice president of American Bank pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to embezzling more than $500,000 from the bank.

Shelly Abernathy pleaded guilty to embezzlement and money laundering. She faces a maximum penalty on the embezzlement charge of 30 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine and restitution of $500,875. The money-laundering charge could result in a maximum penalty of 20 years, a $500,000 fine and restitution.

“Abernathy knew that as a bank employee any account in her name was subject to audit by bank examiners,” U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren said in a statement announcing the plea. “So she deposited the stolen money into two accounts that were owned by her husband.”

In her plea, Abernathy said she committed the crimes while working at the bank between 1999 and Dec. 6, 2006.

She embezzled the money from the bank and deposited it in two of her husband’s accounts. She gained access to the money by signing her husband’s signature on checks drawn on the accounts and by obtaining a debit card so she could draw money from the accounts.

The Internal Revenue Service on March 2 executed a search warrant seizing the proceeds of a money order for $21,331 issued Dec. 11, 2005, by Community Bank and Trust of Riverton. As part of the plea, Abernathy agreed to the forfeiture of that money.

The IRS, the Secret Service and the FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger prosecuted the case. Michael Gayoso Jr. is Abernathy’s attorney.

Up next

Shelly Abernathy’s sentencing is set for Oct. 9.