Stewardson, Illinois, Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

URBANA, Ill. – A Stewardson, Illinois, woman, Julie R. Williams, 54, pleaded guilty on February 7, 2024, to four counts of wire fraud. Sentencing for Williams has been scheduled on June 10, 2024, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana, Illinois.

In court before U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce, Williams admitted to stealing money from her former employer, Charleston-Mattoon-based Apex Property Management, from October 2014 through February 2016. Williams further admitted to making materially false entries into the company’s software system to conceal her thefts.

Williams remains on bond pending sentencing.

Williams faces statutory penalties of up to 80 years’ imprisonment; up to a $1,000,000 fine; and up to a twelve-year term of supervised release.

The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the Mattoon Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Ritzer and William Lynch are representing the government in the prosecution.