On Friday the final two sentences were scheduled to be handed down in the 3.9 million dollar theft from First National Bank of Walnut Ridge. The three defendants were each expected to be given 57 months in prison and ordered to each pay back 1/3 in restitution amounting to 1.317 million each.
Brenda Montgomery was sentenced on Thursday to 57 months, Cindy Tate was sentenced on Friday to 57 months each along with restitution. Peggy Sutton is expected to be sentenced later today to the same sentence and restitution.
The April 2015 a surprise cash audit was conducted after bank officials became suspicious of the women’s behavior. According to Christopher Thyer, US Attorney for Eastern District of Arkansas the audit confirmed the three women had taken money over a period of years from the bank whom they were employed by.
The crime was concealed by the three suspects, when an audit would approach they would transfer funds from branches back to the Walnut Ridge bank to cover the shortages.
In May 2016 the three all plead guilty to the charges.