Indictment: Winfield Woman Embezzled more than $599,000

UPDATE

A federal judge dismissed the indictment against the defendant, Jean Trummel, in the case described in the press release below.

WICHITA, KAN. – Audrey Elkins, 42, Winfield, Kan., is charged with one count of embezzlement. The crime is alleged to have occurred November 2010 to November 2017 in Cowley County, Kan.

The indictment alleges that while she was an employee of William Newton Memorial Hospital Credit Union she stole more than $599,000. The indictment alleges she created fictitious loans and converted the money to her own use.

If convicted, she could face a penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.

The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 Gina Hutson, 58, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of bank fraud. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 2011 to May 2018. She is alleged to have used to her company-issued credit card to make payments for personal expenses.

If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.

Kathy De La Torre, 24, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of distributing fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in March and August 2020 in Wichita.

If convicted, she could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each of the drug counts, and not less than five years and a fine up to $250, 000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

Hernan Romero, 25, Goodland, Kan., is charged with one count of misusing a Social Security number. The indictment alleges that from 2016 to 2020 Romero used another person’s Social Security number.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.  

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting.

John Canada, 41, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 22, 2020, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting.

Carey Hall, 43, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 31, 2020, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting.

Jean Trummel, 62, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of Social Security fraud. The crime is alleged to have occurred from 2012 to 2017 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

The indictment alleges she received more than $104,000 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

If convicted, she could face a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting.

Fidel Gonzalez Hernandez, 44, Sublette, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 3.5 pounds of pure methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 29, 2020, in Haskell County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Liberal Police Department and the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting.

Kenneth Butler, 31, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in August 2020 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting.         

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.