SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In a grim turn of events, Kayellen Faye Inskip, a 47-year-old Strafford woman, was handed down a severe sentence in federal court today for her audacious embezzlement scheme that funneled nearly $300,000 through fraudulent charges.
Inskip, who held the dual roles of bookkeeper and Operations Manager at Mears Floral, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 36 months in federal prison without parole, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The court confirmed her crimes resulted in a staggering loss of $295,771.91, ordering the full amount be restored to the victim.
The defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 10, 2024, to one count of access device fraud, detailing her unauthorized use of the company credit card from August 31, 2021, through August 25, 2022. However, it was revealed during sentencing that Inskip’s embezzlement had been in progress since 2014 and only ceased when company officials uncovered her deceit.
Using her position as a trusted employee, Inskip siphoned funds for personal expenses ranging from luxury vacations to Disney World and Carnival Cruise Line cruises to paying college tuition for her own daughter. Her fraudulent activities, which spanned over seven years, were meticulously concealed using false financial reports.
Mears Floral, a Springfield business founded in 1949, met its demise at the hands of Inskip’s greed. The company, which had employed nearly 33 employees with an average tenure of 11 years, was forced to close its doors, leading to layoffs and widespread economic impact on the local community.
This case is a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney and the diligent work of the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the United States Secret Service in bringing Inskip to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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