Sabine County Credit Union Thief Gets 33 Months

BEAUMONT, Texas – Haley Maxine Snodgrass, 29, of Milam, is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to a brazen scheme to steal from her employer, Doches Credit Union. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone handed down a 33-month sentence on July 1, 2025, and ordered Snodgrass to pay back a staggering $330,351.39 in restitution. This wasn’t a smash-and-grab; it was a slow bleed, a calculated betrayal of trust by someone in a position of authority.

The scheme unraveled in April 2023 when a routine audit of the Hemphill branch revealed glaring discrepancies. Missing paperwork and oddly structured loans – all bearing the approval of Snodgrass – raised immediate red flags. Snodgrass, who’d been with Doches Credit Union since 2016, climbing the ranks from teller to branch manager, was suddenly the focus of an intense investigation.

Investigators quickly discovered a web of deceit. Snodgrass didn’t just take a little; she systematically exploited the credit union through multiple fraudulent methods. Court records detail the creation of entirely fabricated loans, the illegal refinancing of existing loans without member knowledge, the outright misappropriation of loan payments, and unauthorized transactions siphoning money from member accounts. It was a comprehensive, multi-faceted operation designed to line her pockets.

During her plea, Snodgrass admitted to embezzling approximately $281,097.97 – but the full extent of the damage totaled $330,351.39, the amount Judge Crone ordered her to repay. While the plea offers a degree of closure for Doches Credit Union and its members, it doesn’t erase the financial harm caused by Snodgrass’s greed. The restitution order is a start, but recovering those funds will be a lengthy process.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Lufkin Field Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling complex financial crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Snodgrass was held accountable for her actions. This case serves as a stark reminder that even within seemingly secure institutions, the threat of internal fraud remains a constant danger.

Snodgrass’s 33-month sentence sends a message: betraying the trust placed in you, and stealing from hardworking people, carries serious consequences. While prison time won’t undo the damage, it offers a measure of justice for the victims and hopefully deters others from following a similar path. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the progress of restitution efforts.