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Fergus Falls Man Charged with Stealing $182,350 from ATMs
A brazen crime spree that spanned nearly a decade has finally caught up with a 31-year-old Fergus Falls man. Christopher James Diestler, a former armored truck driver, was recently indicted with stealing approximately $182,350 from automated teller machines in west-central Minnesota and North Dakota.
The indictment alleges that Diestler committed the thefts between March 2005 and March 15, 2012, while carrying out his duties as an armored truck driver. The stolen funds were taken from ATMs belonging to Bremer Bank in Alexandria, Breckenridge, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Morris in Minnesota, as well as a Wells Fargo ATM in Alexandria and a U.S. Bank ATM in Fergus Falls.
According to the indictment, Diestler’s thefts occurred in numerous locations in west-central Minnesota and in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The investigation revealed that Diestler was arrested on July 17, 2013, after being charged with one count of bank larceny on July 16, 2013.
“An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant,” explained Assistant United States Attorney Lola Velazquez-Aguilu. “A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.”
If convicted, Diestler faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Any sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge.
The investigation into Diestler’s crimes was a collaborative effort involving the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, the Fergus Falls Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Diestler’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the financial industry. As armored truck drivers are entrusted with the safety and security of large sums of money, their actions can have far-reaching consequences.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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