Melinda Gwin, Bank Fraud, Arkansas 2015
Former Bank Manager Sentenced to Prison in Arkansas Bank Fraud Case
In a shocking case of embezzlement, former First National Bank of Crossett branch manager Melinda Gwin has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for bank fraud. The 49-year-old Hamburg, Arkansas resident was ordered to pay $210,875 in restitution to the bank. The sentencing took place in the United States District Court in El Dorado, Arkansas.
According to court records, Gwin was employed by First National Bank of Crossett from January 2009 through August 20, 2015, first as a teller and then as a manager of their Hamburg Branch. As part of her duties and responsibilities, she was given access to the bank vault. On August 20, 2015, an audit was conducted at the Hamburg Branch that revealed missing cash and inconsistencies. Later that day, she surrendered her keys to FNBC officials, admitted that she was responsible for the missing funds and resigned her position. Law Enforcement was notified and the Federal Bureau of Investigation began an investigation.
A review of video surveillance from the bank showed Gwin pretending to deposit funds into the vault but instead concealing cash on her person and leaving with it. Over the course of several interviews, Gwin admitted to investigators that she concealed cash on her person while in the bank vault and later used those funds for her benefit and for the benefit of members of her family. She stated that she had been doing this for approximately five years, predominately by taking cash in two to three thousand dollar increments while switching out ATM drawers and not entering the cash back into the vault as she should have.
Gwin was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2015. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuting the case for the United States.
The sentencing of Gwin reflects fitting punishment for an individual who abused her position of trust at the First National Bank of Crossett for personal gain and caused irreparable harm to the institution. The FBI and the United States Attorney's Office in the Western Division are firmly committed to helping ensure the integrity of our Nation's banks.
Gwin's case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in the financial industry. The case highlights the need for vigilance in detecting and preventing embezzlement and other forms of financial crimes.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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