Alcester woman sentenced to federal prison for wire fraud | State News

{KXLG – Sioux Falls, SD} A federal judge has sentenced an Alcester, South Dakota woman to prison for wire fraud. Michelle Warner, 57, was found guilty of embezzling funds from her former employer, Heartland Counseling Services, and using them for personal gain.

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentence on August 19, 2024, stating that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier imposed a two-year prison sentence followed by three years of probation. In addition, Warner was ordered to pay a special levy of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and to repay $261,066.09 in restitution to Heartland Counseling Services.

Warner was charged in May 2023, and she entered a guilty plea in March 2024. The charges related to fraud between June 1, 2018, and May 17, 2022. While working as an accountant and later as a business administrator for Heartland Counseling Services, Warner authorized unauthorized payroll payments to herself and used the funds for personal expenses. In addition, she misused her employer's credit card for her own benefit.

The FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Union County Sheriff's Office, and South Sioux City (NE) Police Department investigated Warner's fraudulent activities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted.

Warner was granted a self-declaration into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on September 16, 2024.