Ex- St. Joseph, Michigan bank worker admits embezzling

A former employee of Chemical Bank in St. Joseph pleaded guilty Friday to embezzling about $34,000 from customer accounts. Ashley Jones, 19, of Coloma, wrote counter checks on the accounts of at least three customers and cashed them, investigators said.
Jones appeared in Berrien County Trial Court to plead guilty to embezzlement of $20,000 to $50,000, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Judge Charles LaSata accepted the plea and allowed her to remain free on bond pending sentencing June 18.
St. Joseph police investigated after customers reported account withdrawals that they did not make.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael Sepic said Jones started working as a teller in the bank's drive-up window off Main Street in January.
In February and March she wrote counter checks from the accounts of three older customers and cashed them, embezzling about $34,000, Sepic said.