Jackson County Woman Sentenced On Bank Embezzlement Charges

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A Jackson County woman was sentenced today to federal prison on bank embezzlement charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Buffy A. Bastien, 42, of Ava, IL, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Bastien had previously pleaded guilty to a one count Indictment which charged that from about 2010, to on or about February 23, 2014, in Jackson County, Bastien, being an officer and employee of The Bank of Carbondale, a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with intent to injure and defraud The Bank of Carbondale, did willfully embezzle the sum of approximately $229,221.80 of the moneys or funds entrusted to the custody or care of The Bank of Carbondale. Bastien has already repaid $48,721.80 towards restitution. The Court ordered Bastien to pay the remaining $180,500 still owed in restitution.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.