Department of Justice

United States Attorney Sheldon J. (Shelly) Sperling

Eastern District of Oklahoma

May 13, 2008

CONTACT: Bob Troester   (918)684-5100

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that STEPHANIE JANE SANDS, age 51, of Prague, Oklahoma, was sentenced for Bank Fraud, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1344.

"SANDS was sentenced to 60 months probation, 6 months home detention, a $100.00 Special Assessment Fee, and ordered to pay restitution of $26,552.00," stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Beginning around January, 2006, and continuing to around December, 2006, SANDS, executed a scheme to obtain money, funds, credit or assets in the amount of $27,500.00, belonging to Citizens State Bank in Paden, Oklahoma," stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.

"Auditors conducting a surprise cash count of teller drawers, as required for the annual director's examination of the bank, discovered $27,500.00 missing from SANDS' teller drawer. After initially attempting to hide the cash shortage, SANDS confessed to taking the money in small increments over the previous year," continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

"The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today's sentencing. The defendant was ordered to begin serving her 6 months home detention immediately."

"Assistant United States Attorney Ryan M. Roberts represented the United States at today's sentencing."