MARTINSBURG, WV – A trusted bank teller turned thief, Ana Amesquita, 27, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, learned her fate today: 12 months and one day in federal prison for systematically pilfering from her employer. Amesquita, formerly the head teller at the Inwood branch of City National Bank, pleaded guilty in February to a single count of Bank Fraud, admitting to a calculated scheme that cost the bank $144,661.
The fraud began in June 2019. Amesquita exploited a glaring weakness in bank procedure, processing ATM deposits without the required oversight of a second employee. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was a deliberate and sustained effort to bypass security and line her own pockets. She wasn’t just skimming a few dollars; she was falsifying records in the general ledger to cover her tracks, a clear indication of premeditation.
According to court documents, Amesquita would pocket portions of the deposited cash, then manipulate the bank’s internal accounting to hide the discrepancies. For over a year, the scheme went undetected, allowing her to live beyond her means at the expense of City National Bank and, ultimately, its customers. The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, eventually uncovered the scheme, bringing the full weight of federal law down on Amesquita.
“This wasn’t some impulsive act,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas, who prosecuted the case. “Amesquita held a position of trust and abused that trust for personal gain. Her actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and a willingness to defraud a financial institution.” The prosecution successfully argued for a significant prison sentence, sending a message that such breaches of trust will not be tolerated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh, presiding over the case, didn’t just hand down a prison sentence. She also ordered Amesquita to pay full restitution of $144,661 to City National Bank. While prison will punish the crime, the restitution aims to make the bank whole, though it won’t fully erase the damage caused by Amesquita’s betrayal.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly low-level employees can inflict significant financial damage when given the opportunity. The Secret Service’s investigation underscores their commitment to combating financial crimes, even within the seemingly secure walls of a national bank. Amesquita’s sentence is a testament to the fact that white-collar crime, while lacking physical violence, carries serious consequences.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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