Salmon woman sentenced for bank embezzlement

Stefani Bennett, 45, of Salmon was sentenced to 15 months in prison for embezzlement by a bank employee.

Bennett was also ordered by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill to serve 5 years of supervised release following her prison term. She will also pay restitution of $116,945. Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. said Bennett pleaded guilty to the charge on September 28, 2016. According to court documents, Bennett was an employee of the U.S. Bank in Salmon. On July 8, 2011, Bennett withdrew $100,000 from a customer’s account and converted it to five cashier’s checks and $2,407.59 in cash. She used the money to pay personal bills and make personal purchases without authorization. Bennett admitted to other bank employees and to special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she took the money. The case was investigated by the FBI.