A plea deal has been reached in the case involving a former Winnebago bank employee charged with stealing money from customers.
Maggie Kay Schaefer signed a 12-page plea agreement and sentencing stipulations document in U.S. District Court on Aug. 27.
Schaefer, who faces one federal count of embezzlement by a bank employee, agrees to plead guilty and waive her rights to pre-trial motions and a trial.
The agreement says she stole $374,807 from more than 10 customer accounts for about five years from March 2018 through September 2023.
Conviction of the offense carries maximum penalties of 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine.
Schaefer also agrees to pay restitution to the victims agreed to by the parties and pay a special assessment of $100.
Because there were more than 10 victims and the total dollar loss was more than $250,000 but less than $500,000, the base level offense was adjusted 12 levels.
According to the agreement, if the adjusted offense level is calculated to be 16 and the criminal history category is 1, the sentencing guidelines range is 21 to 27 months in prison.
The fine range would be $10,000 to $95,000 and a supervised release of two to five years.
“The defendant agrees that she owes restitution and she agrees that the court shall order her to pay restitution in the amount of $378,308 to First Financial Bank of Winnebago,” according to the agreement.
Schaefer must disclose rights, title, interest or control to any assets to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In addition, she agrees to help identify, locate, return and transfer any assets and forfeit real or personal property derived from proceeds traceable to the embezzlement charge.
Schaefer may lose her right to carry firearms, vote or hold public office. She also waives her rights to file any appeals regarding guilt, restitution and sentencing calculations but may appeal a prison term imposed that is more than 27 months.
The court orders a pre-sentence investigation and report be completed before actual sentencing takes place.
While both parties may recommend a sentence they deem is appropriate, application of sentencing guidelines and criminal history will be determined by the court.